Moving to Benin from Canada

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Canada to Benin.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Benin compared to Canada.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CA
4.7
BJ
24.8

Canada performs better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

CA
$7,646
BJ
$138
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CA
25.0
BJ
2.0

Benin 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

CA
8.0
BJ
77.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CA
14.0t
BJ
0.5t

Canada generally does better on environment, though Benin leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CA
42.6
BJ
0.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CA
3.7%
BJ
1.0%

Canada generally does better on infrastructure, though Benin leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

CA
5.4%
BJ
1.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CA
$55,800
BJ
$3,800

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

CA
83.8 yrs
BJ
62.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CA
4.4
BJ
55.8

Canada performs better than Benin 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.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Porto-novo Rain: 47.0 in/yr (1194 mm)
None° / None°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Ottawa Porto-novo
Jan–Mar 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/45°F (18°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C)
View all months
Month Ottawa Porto-novo
Jan 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C)
Feb 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C)
Mar 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C)
Apr 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C)
May 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C)
Jun 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C)
Jul 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C)
Aug 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C)
Sep 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C)
Oct 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C)
Nov 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C)
Dec 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C)

Data: Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada, Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN) Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Benin

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Canada passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Benin.
Benin passport

Benin passport holder visiting Canada

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Benin?

Connectivity is usually fine (Benin: 0.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Benin offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Benin safe for expats?

Canada performs better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Benin compared to Canada?

Benin generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 2.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Benin, compared to 25.0 in Canada. Benin scores 38 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Canada: 91).

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

The average high temperature in Porto-novo is None°F, compared to 52°F in Ottawa. Porto-novo receives around 47.0 in of rainfall per year, while Ottawa gets 37.1 in.

What language do they speak in Benin?

The official language in Benin is French. In Canada, the official languages are English and French.

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At a Glance

CA BJ
Population 38,232,593 13,754,688
Currency Canadian Dollar (CA$) CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA)
Languages English, French French
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +1 +229
Time zones 6 1
Emergency number 911