Moving to Zambia from China

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from China to Zambia, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lusaka averages 80°F vs 64°F in Beijing, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from China to Zambia.

Living there in 2020
1,241 ↑ 40% vs 2015

people born in China live in Zambia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Zambia?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zambia compared to China.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

CN
0.5
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CN
17.4
ZM
17.1

China generally does better on safety, though Zambia leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

CN
$1,487
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CN
25.2
ZM
2.6

China generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia 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

CN
64.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CN
9.3t
ZM
0.5t

Zambia performs significantly better than China across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CN
41.4
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CN
41.5%
ZM
2.8%

China generally does better on infrastructure, though Zambia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

CN
4.7%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

CN
$22,100
ZM
$3,700

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

CN
76.1 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CN
6.8
ZM
37.1

China generally does better on family life, though Zambia leads in education spending.

Data: State Administration of Taxation, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Beijing Rain: 22.8 in/yr (578 mm)
64° / 44°F

Avg. annual high / low

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Beijing Lusaka
Jan–Mar 42°/22°F (6°/-6°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 78°/55°F (26°/13°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 83°/66°F (29°/19°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 51°/32°F (11°/0°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Beijing Lusaka
Jan 35°/15°F (1.6°/-9.4°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 39°/20°F (4.0°/-6.9°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 52°/31°F (11.3°/-0.6°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 68°/45°F (19.9°/7.2°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 80°/56°F (26.4°/13.2°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 87°/65°F (30.3°/18.2°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 87°/71°F (30.8°/21.6°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 85°/69°F (29.5°/20.4°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 78°/58°F (25.8°/14.2°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 66°/45°F (19.0°/7.3°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 50°/31°F (10.1°/-0.4°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 38°/20°F (3.3°/-6.9°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: China Meteorological Administration China Meteorological Administration, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

China passport

China passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Free
China passport holders can enter Zambia without a visa.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting China

Visa Required
Zambia passport holders need a visa to enter China.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Zambia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zambia: 0.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zambia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zambia safe for expats?

China generally does better on safety, though Zambia leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.5 in China.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to China?

China generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 25.2 in China. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (China: 81).

What's the weather like in Zambia compared to China?

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 64°F in Beijing. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Beijing gets 22.8 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In China, the official language is Chinese.

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At a Glance

CN ZM
Population 1,410,539,758 19,642,123
Currency Chinese Yuan (CN¥) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages Chinese English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +86 +260
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110