Moving to Malawi from Burundi
What to Expect
Considering a move from Burundi to Malawi? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Burundi to Malawi, and you’d need to navigate life in Chewa and English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lilongwe averages 75°F vs 85°F in Bujumbura, making it significantly cooler.
Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓Get free moving quotes to Malawi
We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.
- ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
- ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
- ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you
Who Else Is Making This Move?
What the data shows about people moving from Burundi to Malawi.
Who's moving to Malawi?
Top countries of origin for Malawi's foreign-born residents.
- 40,131
- 31,375
- 27,773
- 27,221
-
5.10,079
Burundi
- 7,041
Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Malawi compared to Burundi.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Burundi generally does better on safety, though Malawi leads in homicide rate.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
share of adults with obesity
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Burundi generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Malawi leads in health coverage index.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Burundi generally does better on environment, though Malawi leads in air pollution deaths.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
share of households with internet
Malawi generally does better on infrastructure, though Burundi leads in water stress level.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
Malawi generally does better on employment & economy, though Burundi leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
percentage of adults who can read and write
Burundi generally does better on family life, though Malawi leads in life expectancy.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
What's the Climate Like?
Monthly averages — select a city to compare.
Avg. annual high / low
Avg. annual high / low
| Months | Bujumbura | Lilongwe |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | 85°/67°F (29°/19°C) | 78°/61°F (25°/16°C) |
| Apr–Jun | 86°/66°F (30°/19°C) | 72°/53°F (22°/11°C) |
| Jul–Sep | 86°/64°F (30°/18°C) | 72°/45°F (22°/7°C) |
| Oct–Dec | 85°/66°F (29°/19°C) | 80°/57°F (27°/14°C) |
View all months
| Month | Bujumbura | Lilongwe |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | 84°/67°F (29.1°/19.2°C) | 78°/61°F (25.5°/16.1°C) |
| Feb | 85°/67°F (29.7°/19.3°C) | 78°/62°F (25.6°/16.5°C) |
| Mar | 85°/67°F (29.3°/19.3°C) | 77°/61°F (24.8°/16.0°C) |
| Apr | 85°/67°F (29.2°/19.6°C) | 74°/59°F (23.5°/14.9°C) |
| May | 86°/66°F (29.9°/19.1°C) | 72°/53°F (22.1°/11.6°C) |
| Jun | 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.6°C) | 69°/46°F (20.4°/7.9°C) |
| Jul | 85°/63°F (29.2°/17.2°C) | 69°/44°F (20.3°/6.5°C) |
| Aug | 86°/63°F (30.0°/17.4°C) | 71°/44°F (21.9°/6.6°C) |
| Sep | 88°/65°F (30.9°/18.6°C) | 77°/48°F (25.1°/8.7°C) |
| Oct | 86°/66°F (30.1°/19.1°C) | 81°/53°F (27.2°/11.7°C) |
| Nov | 84°/66°F (29.1°/19.1°C) | 81°/58°F (27.2°/14.2°C) |
| Dec | 84°/66°F (28.9°/19.1°C) | 79°/61°F (26.1°/15.9°C) |
Data:
Institut Géographique du Burundi (IGEBU),
Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Burundi and Malawi. To live, work, or study long-term in Malawi, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Malawi's immigration authority.
Burundi passport holder visiting Malawi
Visa Online (e-Visa)
Malawi passport holder visiting Burundi
Visa on ArrivalData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Malawi?
Connectivity is usually fine (Malawi: 0.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Malawi offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Malawi safe for expats?
Burundi generally does better on safety, though Malawi leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Malawi is 1.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.8 in Burundi.
How is healthcare in Malawi compared to Burundi?
Burundi generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Malawi leads in health coverage index. There are 0.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Malawi, compared to 0.6 in Burundi. Malawi scores 48 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Burundi: 41).
What's the weather like in Malawi compared to Burundi?
The average high temperature in Lilongwe is 75°F, compared to 85°F in Bujumbura. Lilongwe receives around 50.7 in of rainfall per year, while Bujumbura gets 30.9 in.
What language do they speak in Malawi?
The official languages in Malawi are Chewa and English. In Burundi, the official languages are French and Kirundi.
