Moving to Malawi from Denmark

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Denmark to Malawi, and you’d need to navigate life in Chewa and English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lilongwe averages 75°F vs 52°F in Copenhagen, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Malawi compared to Denmark.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

DK
1.0
MW
1.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

DK
2.3
MW
20.2

Denmark performs better than Malawi across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

DK
$7,262
MW
$125
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

DK
43.8
MW
0.5

Denmark generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Malawi 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

DK
13.0
MW
43.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

DK
4.3t
MW
0.2t

Denmark generally does better on environment, though Malawi 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

DK
45.0
MW
0.1
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

DK
26.4%
MW
17.5%

Denmark generally does better on infrastructure, though Malawi leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

DK
5.1%
MW
5.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

DK
$72,000
MW
$1,700

Malawi generally does better on employment & economy, though Denmark leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

DK
81.7 yrs
MW
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

DK
3.0
MW
33.4

Denmark performs better than Malawi across all family life metrics.

Data: Danish Central Tax Administration, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Copenhagen Rain: 20.7 in/yr (525 mm)
52° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

Lilongwe Rain: 50.7 in/yr (1289 mm)
75° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Copenhagen Lilongwe
Jan–Mar 38°/29°F (3°/-2°C) 78°/61°F (25°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 58°/44°F (15°/7°C) 72°/53°F (22°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 66°/53°F (19°/12°C) 72°/45°F (22°/7°C)
Oct–Dec 46°/37°F (8°/3°C) 80°/57°F (27°/14°C)
View all months
Month Copenhagen Lilongwe
Jan 36°/28°F (2.0°/-2.0°C) 78°/61°F (25.5°/16.1°C)
Feb 36°/28°F (2.0°/-2.0°C) 78°/62°F (25.6°/16.5°C)
Mar 41°/30°F (5.0°/-1.0°C) 77°/61°F (24.8°/16.0°C)
Apr 50°/36°F (10.0°/2.0°C) 74°/59°F (23.5°/14.9°C)
May 59°/45°F (15.0°/7.0°C) 72°/53°F (22.1°/11.6°C)
Jun 66°/52°F (19.0°/11.0°C) 69°/46°F (20.4°/7.9°C)
Jul 68°/55°F (20.0°/13.0°C) 69°/44°F (20.3°/6.5°C)
Aug 68°/55°F (20.0°/13.0°C) 71°/44°F (21.9°/6.6°C)
Sep 63°/50°F (17.0°/10.0°C) 77°/48°F (25.1°/8.7°C)
Oct 54°/45°F (12.0°/7.0°C) 81°/53°F (27.2°/11.7°C)
Nov 45°/37°F (7.0°/3.0°C) 81°/58°F (27.2°/14.2°C)
Dec 39°/30°F (4.0°/-1.0°C) 79°/61°F (26.1°/15.9°C)

Data: Danish Meteorological Institute Danish Meteorological Institute, Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Denmark passport

Denmark passport holder visiting Malawi

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

Malawi passport holder visiting Denmark

Visa Required
Malawi passport holders need a visa to enter Denmark.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Malawi?

Connectivity is usually fine (Malawi: 0.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Malawi offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Malawi safe for expats?

Denmark performs better than Malawi across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Malawi is 1.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.0 in Denmark.

How is healthcare in Malawi compared to Denmark?

Denmark generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Malawi leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Malawi, compared to 43.8 in Denmark. Malawi scores 48 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Denmark: 82).

What's the weather like in Malawi compared to Denmark?

The average high temperature in Lilongwe is 75°F, compared to 52°F in Copenhagen. Lilongwe receives around 50.7 in of rainfall per year, while Copenhagen gets 20.7 in.

What language do they speak in Malawi?

The official languages in Malawi are Chewa and English. In Denmark, the official language is Danish.

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At a Glance

DK MW
Population 5,920,767 20,794,353
Currency Danish Krone (DKK) Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
Languages Danish Chewa, English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +45 +265
Time zones 5 1
Emergency number 112