Moving to Sierra Leone from Canada

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Canada to Sierra Leone. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Freetown averages 86°F vs 52°F in Ottawa, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Canada to Sierra Leone.

Living there in 2020
16 ↓ 16% vs 2015

people born in Canada live in Sierra Leone · UN DESA

Who's moving to Sierra Leone?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Sierra Leone compared to Canada.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

CA
2.3
SL
2.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CA
4.7
SL
13.8

Canada generally does better on safety, though Sierra Leone leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

CA
$7,646
SL
$159
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CA
25.0
SL
0.4

Sierra Leone 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
SL
97.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CA
14.0t
SL
0.2t

Canada generally does better on environment, though Sierra Leone 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
SL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CA
3.7%
SL
0.5%

Canada generally does better on infrastructure, though Sierra Leone 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%
SL
3.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CA
$55,800
SL
$1,700

Canada generally does better on employment & economy, though Sierra Leone 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
SL
58.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CA
4.4
SL
73.4

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

Data: Canada Revenue Agency, 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

Freetown Rain: 116.0 in/yr (2946 mm)
86° / 75°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Ottawa Freetown
Jan–Mar 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C) 87°/75°F (30°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/45°F (18°/7°C) 87°/76°F (31°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 75°/55°F (24°/13°C) 84°/74°F (29°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C) 86°/75°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Ottawa Freetown
Jan 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C) 86°/75°F (29.9°/23.8°C)
Feb 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C) 87°/75°F (30.3°/24.0°C)
Mar 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Apr 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C) 88°/77°F (31.2°/24.8°C)
May 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Jun 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.6°C)
Jul 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C) 84°/74°F (28.7°/23.1°C)
Aug 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C) 83°/73°F (28.4°/23.0°C)
Sep 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C) 84°/74°F (29.0°/23.1°C)
Oct 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.4°C)
Nov 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C) 86°/75°F (30.1°/24.0°C)
Dec 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C) 85°/75°F (29.7°/24.1°C)

Data: Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada, Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Sierra Leone

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

Sierra Leone passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone?

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

Is Sierra Leone safe for expats?

Canada generally does better on safety, though Sierra Leone leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Sierra Leone is 2.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.3 in Canada.

How is healthcare in Sierra Leone compared to Canada?

Sierra Leone generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 0.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Sierra Leone, compared to 25.0 in Canada. Sierra Leone scores 41 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Canada: 91).

What's the weather like in Sierra Leone compared to Canada?

The average high temperature in Freetown is 86°F, compared to 52°F in Ottawa. Freetown receives around 116.0 in of rainfall per year, while Ottawa gets 37.1 in.

What language do they speak in Sierra Leone?

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

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At a Glance

CA SL
Population 38,232,593 8,692,606
Currency Canadian Dollar (CA$) Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
Languages English, French English
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +1 +232
Time zones 6 1
Emergency number 911