Moving to Zambia from Iraq

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Iraq to Zambia, and you’d need to navigate life in English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zambia compared to Iraq.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2015

per 100,000 people per year

IQ
9.4
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

IQ
21.5
ZM
17.1

Zambia performs significantly better than Iraq across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

IQ
$843
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

IQ
10.1
ZM
2.6

Iraq 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

IQ
87.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

IQ
5.2t
ZM
0.5t

Zambia performs significantly better than Iraq 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

IQ
14.4
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

IQ
59.6%
ZM
2.8%

Iraq 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

IQ
15.5%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

IQ
$12,600
ZM
$3,700

Iraq generally does better on employment & economy, though Zambia leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

IQ
73.2 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

IQ
19.6
ZM
37.1

Iraq generally does better on family life, though Zambia leads in literacy rate.

Data: Ministry of Finance, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Baghdad Rain: 4.8 in/yr (123 mm)
87° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Baghdad Lusaka
Jan–Mar 66°/43°F (19°/6°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 97°/67°F (36°/20°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 108°/74°F (43°/24°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 77°/50°F (25°/10°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Baghdad Lusaka
Jan 60°/39°F (15.5°/3.8°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 65°/42°F (18.5°/5.5°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 74°/49°F (23.6°/9.6°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 86°/59°F (29.9°/15.2°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 98°/68°F (36.5°/20.1°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 106°/74°F (41.3°/23.3°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 111°/78°F (44.0°/25.5°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 110°/76°F (43.5°/24.5°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 104°/69°F (40.2°/20.7°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 92°/61°F (33.4°/15.9°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 75°/49°F (23.7°/9.2°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 63°/41°F (17.2°/5.1°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Iraq 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.

Iraq passport

Iraq passport holder visiting Zambia

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

Zambia passport holder visiting Iraq

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

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 Iraq across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 9.4 in Iraq.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Iraq?

Iraq 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 10.1 in Iraq. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Iraq: 59).

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

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 87°F in Baghdad. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Baghdad gets 4.8 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In Iraq, the official languages are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani.

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At a Glance

IQ ZM
Population 40,462,701 19,642,123
Currency Iraqi Dinar (IQD) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +964 +260
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 104