Moving to Benin from Jamaica

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Jamaica to Benin, and you’d need to navigate life in French. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Benin compared to Jamaica.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

JM
17.8
BJ
24.8

Jamaica performs better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

JM
$869
BJ
$138
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

JM
5.5
BJ
2.0

Jamaica generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin 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

JM
22.0
BJ
77.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

JM
2.8t
BJ
0.5t

Jamaica generally does better on environment, though Benin 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

JM
15.0
BJ
0.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

JM
12.4%
BJ
1.0%

Jamaica generally does better on infrastructure, though Benin leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

JM
4.4%
BJ
1.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

JM
$10,300
BJ
$3,800

Jamaica generally does better on employment & economy, though Benin leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

JM
75.8 yrs
BJ
62.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

JM
11.2
BJ
55.8

Jamaica performs better than Benin 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.

Kingston Rain: 32.0 in/yr (813 mm)
89° / 73°F

Avg. annual high / low

Porto-novo Rain: 47.0 in/yr (1194 mm)
None° / None°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kingston Porto-novo
Jan–Mar 87°/70°F (30°/21°C)
Apr–Jun 89°/74°F (32°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 91°/76°F (33°/24°C)
Oct–Dec 88°/73°F (31°/23°C)
View all months
Month Kingston Porto-novo
Jan 87°/70°F (30.3°/21.1°C)
Feb 86°/70°F (30.2°/21.0°C)
Mar 87°/71°F (30.7°/21.6°C)
Apr 88°/73°F (31.1°/22.6°C)
May 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.6°C)
Jun 90°/76°F (32.1°/24.2°C)
Jul 91°/76°F (32.8°/24.3°C)
Aug 91°/76°F (32.7°/24.2°C)
Sep 90°/75°F (32.1°/24.0°C)
Oct 89°/74°F (31.7°/23.4°C)
Nov 88°/73°F (31.2°/22.8°C)
Dec 87°/71°F (30.6°/21.8°C)

Data: Meteorological Service, Jamaica Meteorological Service, Jamaica, Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN) Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Jamaica passport

Jamaica passport holder visiting Benin

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

Benin passport holder visiting Jamaica

Visa Required
Benin passport holders need a visa to enter Jamaica.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Benin?

Connectivity is usually fine (Benin: 0.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Benin offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Benin safe for expats?

Jamaica performs better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Benin compared to Jamaica?

Jamaica generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 2.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Benin, compared to 5.5 in Jamaica. Benin scores 38 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Jamaica: 74).

What's the weather like in Benin compared to Jamaica?

The average high temperature in Porto-novo is None°F, compared to 89°F in Kingston. Porto-novo receives around 47.0 in of rainfall per year, while Kingston gets 32.0 in.

What language do they speak in Benin?

The official language in Benin is French. In Jamaica, the official languages are English and Jamaican Patois.

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At a Glance

JM BJ
Population 2,818,596 13,754,688
Currency Jamaican Dollar (JMD) CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA)
Languages English, Jamaican Patois French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1 +229
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 119