Moving to Turkmenistan from Canada

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Canada to Turkmenistan, and you’d need to navigate life in Russian and Turkmen. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ashgabat averages 74°F vs 52°F in Ottawa, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Turkmenistan compared to Canada.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

CA
2.3
TM
1.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CA
4.7
TM
8.0

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

CA
$7,646
TM
$1,264
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CA
25.0
TM
21.4

Turkmenistan 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
TM
87.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CA
14.0t
TM
10.9t

Canada generally does better on environment, though Turkmenistan 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
TM
5.9
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CA
3.7%
TM
135.2%

Canada performs better than Turkmenistan across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

CA
5.4%
TM
4.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CA
$55,800
TM
$14,700

Turkmenistan generally does better on employment & economy, though Canada leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

CA
83.8 yrs
TM
71.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CA
4.4
TM
37.6

Canada performs better than Turkmenistan 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

Ashgabat Rain: 8.9 in/yr (227 mm)
74° / 51°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Ottawa Ashgabat
Jan–Mar 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C) 51°/34°F (11°/1°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/45°F (18°/7°C) 86°/61°F (30°/16°C)
Jul–Sep 75°/55°F (24°/13°C) 96°/68°F (35°/20°C)
Oct–Dec 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C) 62°/40°F (17°/5°C)
View all months
Month Ottawa Ashgabat
Jan 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C) 45°/29°F (7.4°/-1.6°C)
Feb 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C) 49°/32°F (9.6°/-0.2°C)
Mar 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C) 60°/41°F (15.6°/4.9°C)
Apr 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C) 75°/52°F (24.1°/11.1°C)
May 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C) 86°/61°F (30.0°/16.2°C)
Jun 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C) 96°/69°F (35.7°/20.7°C)
Jul 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C) 101°/74°F (38.2°/23.1°C)
Aug 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C) 98°/69°F (36.6°/20.5°C)
Sep 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C) 89°/60°F (31.5°/15.4°C)
Oct 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C) 74°/48°F (23.2°/9.1°C)
Nov 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C) 62°/40°F (16.6°/4.6°C)
Dec 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C) 50°/33°F (9.8°/0.7°C)

Data: Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Turkmenistan

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

Turkmenistan passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Turkmenistan 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 Turkmenistan?

Connectivity is usually fine (Turkmenistan: 5.9 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Turkmenistan offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Turkmenistan safe for expats?

Canada generally does better on safety, though Turkmenistan leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Turkmenistan is 1.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.3 in Canada.

How is healthcare in Turkmenistan compared to Canada?

Turkmenistan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 21.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Turkmenistan, compared to 25.0 in Canada. Turkmenistan scores 75 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Canada: 91).

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

The average high temperature in Ashgabat is 74°F, compared to 52°F in Ottawa. Ashgabat receives around 8.9 in of rainfall per year, while Ottawa gets 37.1 in.

What language do they speak in Turkmenistan?

The official languages in Turkmenistan are Russian and Turkmen. In Canada, the official languages are English and French.

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At a Glance

CA TM
Population 38,232,593 5,636,011
Currency Canadian Dollar (CA$) Turkmenistani Manat (TMT)
Languages English, French Russian, Turkmen
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +1 +993
Time zones 6 1
Emergency number 911