Moving to Madagascar from Jamaica

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Jamaica to Madagascar, and you’d need to navigate life in French and Malagasy. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Antananarivo averages 76°F vs 89°F in Kingston, making it significantly cooler.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Madagascar compared to Jamaica.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

JM
17.8
MG
22.5

Jamaica performs better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

JM
$869
MG
$63
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2018

affects wait times and access to care

JM
5.5
MG
1.8

Jamaica generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Madagascar 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
MG
58.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

JM
2.8t
MG
0.1t

Jamaica generally does better on environment, though Madagascar 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
MG
0.1
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

JM
12.4%
MG
11.3%

Jamaica generally does better on infrastructure, though Madagascar 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%
MG
3.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

JM
$10,300
MG
$1,700

Jamaica generally does better on employment & economy, though Madagascar 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
MG
68.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

JM
11.2
MG
39.0

Jamaica performs better than Madagascar across all family life metrics.

Data: Tax Admministration of Jamaica, 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

Antananarivo Rain: 47.2 in/yr (1198 mm)
76° / 58°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kingston Antananarivo
Jan–Mar 87°/70°F (30°/21°C) 79°/63°F (26°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 89°/74°F (32°/23°C) 75°/57°F (24°/14°C)
Jul–Sep 91°/76°F (33°/24°C) 72°/52°F (22°/11°C)
Oct–Dec 88°/73°F (31°/23°C) 79°/60°F (26°/16°C)
View all months
Month Kingston Antananarivo
Jan 87°/70°F (30.3°/21.1°C) 80°/63°F (26.4°/17.3°C)
Feb 86°/70°F (30.2°/21.0°C) 79°/63°F (26.3°/17.4°C)
Mar 87°/71°F (30.7°/21.6°C) 79°/63°F (26.2°/17.0°C)
Apr 88°/73°F (31.1°/22.6°C) 78°/60°F (25.4°/15.8°C)
May 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.6°C) 75°/57°F (23.7°/13.8°C)
Jun 90°/76°F (32.1°/24.2°C) 71°/53°F (21.4°/11.5°C)
Jul 91°/76°F (32.8°/24.3°C) 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.5°C)
Aug 91°/76°F (32.7°/24.2°C) 71°/52°F (21.4°/10.9°C)
Sep 90°/75°F (32.1°/24.0°C) 75°/54°F (23.7°/12.1°C)
Oct 89°/74°F (31.7°/23.4°C) 78°/57°F (25.7°/14.1°C)
Nov 88°/73°F (31.2°/22.8°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C)
Dec 87°/71°F (30.6°/21.8°C) 80°/62°F (26.8°/16.9°C)

Data: Meteorological Service, Jamaica Meteorological Service, Jamaica, Direction Générale de la Météorologie Direction Générale de la Météorologie

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Jamaica passport

Jamaica passport holder visiting Madagascar

Visa on Arrival
Jamaica passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Madagascar.
Madagascar passport

Madagascar passport holder visiting Jamaica

Visa Required
Madagascar 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 Madagascar?

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

Is Madagascar safe for expats?

Jamaica performs better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Madagascar compared to Jamaica?

Jamaica generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Madagascar leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Madagascar, compared to 5.5 in Jamaica. Madagascar scores 35 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Jamaica: 74).

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

The average high temperature in Antananarivo is 76°F, compared to 89°F in Kingston. Antananarivo receives around 47.2 in of rainfall per year, while Kingston gets 32.0 in.

What language do they speak in Madagascar?

The official languages in Madagascar are French and Malagasy. In Jamaica, the official languages are English and Jamaican Patois.

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At a Glance

JM MG
Population 2,818,596 28,172,462
Currency Jamaican Dollar (JMD) Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
Languages English, Jamaican Patois French, Malagasy
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +1 +261
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 119