Moving to Botswana from Canada

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Canada to Botswana. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Gaborone averages 83°F vs 55°F in Toronto, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Living there in 2020
185 ↑ 6% vs 2015

people born in Canada live in Botswana · UN DESA

Who's moving to Botswana?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Botswana compared to Canada.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

CA
2.0
BW
11.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CA
4.7
BW
16.5

Canada performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

CA
$7,646
BW
$1,310
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2023

affects wait times and access to care

CA
28.2
BW
3.8

Botswana 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
BW
55.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CA
14.0t
BW
2.7t

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

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CA
42.5
BW
7.4
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CA
3.7%
BW
2.2%

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

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

CA
6.9%
BW
24.5%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

CA
$55,698
BW
$7,778

Canada generally does better on employment & economy, though Botswana leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

CA
82.1 yrs
BW
69.3 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CA
4.7
BW
32.1

Canada generally does better on family life, though Botswana leads in education spending.

Sources: World Bank (2015–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), Canada Revenue Agency (2016), Botswana Unified Revenue Service (2016), The World Factbook (2008). How we calculate this

Weather in Botswana vs Canada

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Toronto Rain: 32.8 in/yr (834 mm)
55° / 42°F

Avg. annual high / low

Gaborone Rain: 21.7 in/yr (552 mm)
83° / 56°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Toronto Gaborone
Jan–Mar 34°/23°F (1°/-5°C) 88°/66°F (31°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/49°F (18°/10°C) 77°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/61°F (24°/16°C) 79°/47°F (26°/8°C)
Oct–Dec 46°/35°F (8°/2°C) 89°/64°F (32°/18°C)
View all months
Month Toronto Gaborone
Jan 30°/19°F (-1.1°/-7.3°C) 90°/67°F (32.5°/19.4°C)
Feb 32°/21°F (-0.2°/-6.3°C) 89°/67°F (31.5°/19.3°C)
Mar 40°/28°F (4.6°/-2.0°C) 86°/63°F (30.2°/17.4°C)
Apr 52°/39°F (11.3°/3.8°C) 82°/56°F (27.8°/13.4°C)
May 65°/50°F (18.5°/9.9°C) 78°/47°F (25.4°/8.3°C)
Jun 74°/59°F (23.5°/14.8°C) 72°/40°F (22.5°/4.6°C)
Jul 80°/64°F (26.4°/17.9°C) 73°/40°F (22.8°/4.6°C)
Aug 78°/63°F (25.3°/17.3°C) 78°/46°F (25.7°/7.6°C)
Sep 69°/56°F (20.7°/13.2°C) 85°/54°F (29.6°/12.5°C)
Oct 57°/45°F (13.8°/7.3°C) 88°/61°F (31.0°/16.2°C)
Nov 45°/36°F (7.4°/2.2°C) 89°/64°F (31.5°/17.9°C)
Dec 35°/25°F (1.8°/-3.7°C) 90°/66°F (32.3°/18.8°C)

Data: Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada, Botswana Meteorological Services Botswana Meteorological Services

Can you move from Canada to Botswana?

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

Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Botswana

Visa Free
Canada passport holders can enter Botswana without a visa.
Botswana passport

Botswana passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Botswana 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 Botswana?

Connectivity is usually fine (Botswana: 7.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Botswana offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Botswana safe for expats?

Canada performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Botswana is 11.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.0 in Canada.

How is healthcare in Botswana compared to Canada?

Botswana generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 3.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Botswana, compared to 28.2 in Canada. Botswana scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Canada: 91).

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

The average high temperature in Gaborone is 83°F, compared to 55°F in Toronto. Gaborone receives around 21.7 in of rainfall per year, while Toronto gets 32.8 in.

What language do they speak in Botswana?

The official languages in Botswana are English and Tswana. In Canada, the official languages are English and French.

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At a Glance

CA BW
Population 41,651,653 2,562,122
Currency Canadian Dollar (CA$) Botswanan Pula (BWP)
Languages English, French English, Tswana
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +1 +267
Time zones 6 1
Emergency number 911 999