Moving to Canada from Burundi

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Burundi to Canada? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Burundi to Canada. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ottawa averages 52°F vs 85°F in Bujumbura, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Burundi to Canada.

Moved in 2023
1,030 ↓ 35% vs 2022

people moved from Burundi to Canada · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Canada?

Top countries of origin for Canada's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Canada compared to Burundi.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

BI
5.8
CA
2.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BI
12.3
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Burundi across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

BI
$100
CA
$7,646
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

BI
0.6
CA
25.0

Burundi generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BI
71.0
CA
8.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BI
0.1t
CA
14.0t

Burundi generally does better on environment, though Canada leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

BI
0.0
CA
42.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BI
10.2%
CA
3.7%

Canada performs significantly better than Burundi across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

BI
0.9%
CA
5.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BI
$900
CA
$55,800

Canada generally does better on employment & economy, though Burundi leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BI
67.4 yrs
CA
83.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BI
37.8
CA
4.4

Canada performs significantly better than Burundi across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Bujumbura Rain: 30.9 in/yr (786 mm)
85° / 66°F

Avg. annual high / low

Ottawa Rain: 37.1 in/yr (943 mm)
52° / 34°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Bujumbura Ottawa
Jan–Mar 85°/67°F (29°/19°C) 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C)
Apr–Jun 86°/66°F (30°/19°C) 64°/45°F (18°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 86°/64°F (30°/18°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/66°F (29°/19°C) 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C)
View all months
Month Bujumbura Ottawa
Jan 84°/67°F (29.1°/19.2°C) 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C)
Feb 85°/67°F (29.7°/19.3°C) 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C)
Mar 85°/67°F (29.3°/19.3°C) 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C)
Apr 85°/67°F (29.2°/19.6°C) 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C)
May 86°/66°F (29.9°/19.1°C) 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C)
Jun 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.6°C) 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C)
Jul 85°/63°F (29.2°/17.2°C) 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C)
Aug 86°/63°F (30.0°/17.4°C) 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C)
Sep 88°/65°F (30.9°/18.6°C) 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C)
Oct 86°/66°F (30.1°/19.1°C) 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C)
Nov 84°/66°F (29.1°/19.1°C) 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C)
Dec 84°/66°F (28.9°/19.1°C) 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C)

Data: Institut Géographique du Burundi (IGEBU) Institut Géographique du Burundi (IGEBU), Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Burundi and Canada. To live, work, or study long-term in Canada, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Canada's immigration authority.

Burundi passport

Burundi passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Burundi passport holders need a visa to enter Canada.
Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Burundi

Visa on Arrival
Canada passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Burundi.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Canada?

Connectivity is usually fine (Canada: 42.6 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Canada offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Canada safe for expats?

Canada performs significantly better than Burundi across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Canada is 2.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.8 in Burundi.

How is healthcare in Canada compared to Burundi?

Burundi generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 25.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Canada, compared to 0.6 in Burundi. Canada scores 91 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Burundi: 41).

What's the weather like in Canada compared to Burundi?

The average high temperature in Ottawa is 52°F, compared to 85°F in Bujumbura. Ottawa receives around 37.1 in of rainfall per year, while Bujumbura gets 30.9 in.

What language do they speak in Canada?

The official languages in Canada are English and French. In Burundi, the official languages are French and Kirundi.

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At a Glance

BI CA
Population 12,696,478 38,232,593
Currency Burundian Franc (BIF) Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Languages French, Kirundi English, French
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +257 +1
Time zones 1 6
Emergency number 911