Moving to Timor-Leste from Burundi

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Burundi to Timor-Leste, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese and Tetum. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Timor-Leste compared to Burundi.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2016

per 100,000 people per year

BI
5.8
TL
4.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

BI
12.3
TL
12.0

Timor-Leste performs significantly better than Burundi across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

BI
$100
TL
$461
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

BI
0.6
TL
7.7

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

BI
71.0
TL
61.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

BI
0.1t
TL
0.5t

Burundi generally does better on environment, though Timor-Leste 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
TL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

BI
10.2%
TL
28.3%

Burundi performs better than Timor-Leste 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%
TL
1.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

BI
$900
TL
$4,600

Burundi generally does better on employment & economy, though Timor-Leste leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

BI
67.4 yrs
TL
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

BI
37.8
TL
33.7

Burundi generally does better on family life, though Timor-Leste leads in life expectancy.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Burundi passport

Burundi passport holder visiting Timor-Leste

Visa on Arrival
Burundi passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting Burundi

Visa on Arrival
Timor-Leste 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 Timor-Leste?

Connectivity is usually fine (Timor-Leste: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Timor-Leste offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Timor-Leste safe for expats?

Timor-Leste performs significantly better than Burundi across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Timor-Leste is 4.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.8 in Burundi.

How is healthcare in Timor-Leste compared to Burundi?

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 7.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Timor-Leste, compared to 0.6 in Burundi. Timor-Leste scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Burundi: 41).

What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?

The official languages in Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In Burundi, the official languages are French and Kirundi.

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At a Glance

BI TL
Population 12,696,478 1,445,006
Currency Burundian Franc (BIF) United States Dollar ($)
Languages French, Kirundi Portuguese, Tetum
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +257 +670
Time zones 1 1