Moving to Canada from Gambia

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Gambia to Canada — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Gambia to Canada. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ottawa averages 52°F vs 90°F in Banjul, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Gambia to Canada, based on official data.

Moved in 2023
115 ↑ 77% vs 2022

people moved from Gambia to Canada · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Canada?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Gambia to Canada.

Is it safe?

Feel safe walking at night United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

of residents who feel safe walking alone at night

GM
59%
CA
88%
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GM
22.0
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Gambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

GM
$94
CA
$7,646
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GM
1.0
CA
25.0

Gambia 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

GM
90.0
CA
8.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GM
0.2t
CA
14.0t

Gambia generally does better on environment, though Canada leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

GM
0.2
CA
42.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GM
2.2%
CA
3.7%

Canada generally does better on infrastructure, though Gambia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

GM
6.5%
CA
5.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GM
$2,900
CA
$55,800

Canada performs significantly better than Gambia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GM
67.6 yrs
CA
83.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GM
37.2
CA
4.4

Canada performs significantly better than Gambia 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.

Banjul Rain: 32.3 in/yr (821 mm)
90° / 70°F

Avg. annual high / low

Ottawa Rain: 37.1 in/yr (943 mm)
52° / 34°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Banjul Ottawa
Jan–Mar 91°/65°F (33°/19°C) 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C)
Apr–Jun 89°/70°F (32°/21°C) 64°/45°F (18°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 89°/74°F (32°/23°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 92°/71°F (33°/22°C) 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C)
View all months
Month Banjul Ottawa
Jan 90°/64°F (32.4°/17.9°C) 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C)
Feb 92°/65°F (33.2°/18.3°C) 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C)
Mar 91°/67°F (32.9°/19.6°C) 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C)
Apr 89°/68°F (31.8°/19.9°C) 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C)
May 89°/70°F (31.6°/21.0°C) 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C)
Jun 90°/72°F (32.4°/22.4°C) 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C)
Jul 89°/74°F (31.8°/23.2°C) 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C)
Aug 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.4°C) 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C)
Sep 90°/74°F (32.1°/23.2°C) 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C)
Oct 92°/75°F (33.5°/23.9°C) 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C)
Nov 93°/71°F (34.0°/21.6°C) 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C)
Dec 91°/67°F (32.9°/19.7°C) 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C)

Data: Department of Water Resources Department of Water Resources, Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Gambia passport

Gambia passport holder visiting Canada

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

Canada passport holder visiting Gambia

Visa Free
Canada passport holders can enter Gambia 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 Canada?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Canada has 42.6 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Canada safe for expats?

Canada performs significantly better than Gambia across all safety metrics. About 88% of people in Canada feel safe walking alone at night.

How is healthcare in Canada compared to Gambia?

Gambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 25.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Canada, compared to 1.0 in Gambia. Canada scores 91 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Gambia: 46).

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

The average high temperature in Ottawa is 52°F, compared to 90°F in Banjul. Ottawa receives around 37.1 in of rainfall per year, while Banjul gets 32.3 in.

What language do they speak in Canada?

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

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At a Glance

GM CA
Population 2,413,403 38,232,593
Currency Gambian Dalasi (GMD) Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Languages English English, French
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +220 +1
Time zones 1 6
Emergency number 911