Moving to Zambia from Ecuador

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Ecuador 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 71°F in Quito, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zambia compared to Ecuador.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

EC
27.0
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

EC
23.4
ZM
17.1

Zambia performs significantly better than Ecuador across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

EC
$1,238
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

EC
23.1
ZM
2.6

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ecuador 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

EC
23.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

EC
2.6t
ZM
0.5t

Ecuador generally does better on environment, though Zambia 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

EC
15.0
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

EC
6.8%
ZM
2.8%

Ecuador 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

EC
3.4%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

EC
$14,300
ZM
$3,700

Ecuador performs better than Zambia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

EC
77.5 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

EC
18.1
ZM
37.1

Ecuador performs better than Zambia across all family life metrics.

Data: Servicio de Rentas Internas del Ecuador, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Quito Rain: 43.2 in/yr (1098 mm)
71° / 50°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Quito Lusaka
Jan–Mar 70°/50°F (21°/10°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 70°/50°F (21°/10°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/49°F (22°/9°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 70°/49°F (21°/10°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Quito Lusaka
Jan 70°/50°F (21.2°/9.8°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.1°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 69°/50°F (20.8°/10.1°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 70°/50°F (20.9°/10.2°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.1°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 70°/50°F (21.1°/9.8°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 71°/49°F (21.5°/9.4°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 72°/49°F (22.2°/9.6°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 72°/49°F (22.3°/9.4°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 71°/49°F (21.8°/9.5°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 70°/49°F (21.3°/9.6°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 70°/49°F (21.3°/9.7°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología - INAMHI Instituto Nacional de Meteorología e Hidrología - INAMHI, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Ecuador 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.

Ecuador passport

Ecuador passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa on Arrival
Ecuador passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Zambia.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Ecuador

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

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?

Zambia performs significantly better than Ecuador across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 27.0 in Ecuador.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Ecuador?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ecuador leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 23.1 in Ecuador. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Ecuador: 77).

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

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 71°F in Quito. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Quito gets 43.2 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In Ecuador, the official language is Spanish.

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At a Glance

EC ZM
Population 17,289,554 19,642,123
Currency United States Dollar ($) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages Spanish English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +593 +260
Time zones 2 1
Emergency number 911