Moving to Ethiopia from Japan

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Japan to Ethiopia, and you’d need to navigate life in Amharic. 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 Ethiopia compared to Japan.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

JP
0.2
ET
8.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

JP
2.7
ET
17.7

Japan performs better than Ethiopia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

JP
$5,365
ET
$86
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

JP
26.1
ET
1.1

Japan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ethiopia 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

JP
12.0
ET
46.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

JP
7.8t
ET
0.1t

Japan generally does better on environment, though Ethiopia 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

JP
37.2
ET
0.5
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

JP
36.0%
ET
32.3%

Japan generally does better on infrastructure, though Ethiopia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

JP
2.6%
ET
3.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

JP
$46,300
ET
$2,800

Japan generally does better on employment & economy, though Ethiopia leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

JP
84.8 yrs
ET
68.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

JP
1.9
ET
33.5

Japan generally does better on family life, though Ethiopia leads in education spending.

Data: National Tax Agency Japan, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Tokyo Rain: 62.9 in/yr (1598 mm)
69° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Addis Ababa Rain: 45.9 in/yr (1165 mm)
74° / 49°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Tokyo Addis Ababa
Jan–Mar 53°/37°F (12°/3°C) 76°/48°F (24°/9°C)
Apr–Jun 73°/58°F (23°/14°C) 75°/51°F (24°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 85°/72°F (30°/22°C) 71°/50°F (21°/10°C)
Oct–Dec 63°/49°F (17°/9°C) 73°/46°F (23°/8°C)
View all months
Month Tokyo Addis Ababa
Jan 50°/34°F (9.8°/1.2°C) 75°/46°F (24.0°/8.0°C)
Feb 52°/36°F (10.9°/2.1°C) 75°/48°F (24.0°/9.0°C)
Mar 58°/41°F (14.2°/5.0°C) 77°/50°F (25.0°/10.0°C)
Apr 67°/50°F (19.4°/9.8°C) 75°/52°F (24.0°/11.0°C)
May 74°/58°F (23.6°/14.6°C) 77°/52°F (25.0°/11.0°C)
Jun 79°/65°F (26.1°/18.5°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.0°C)
Jul 86°/72°F (29.9°/22.4°C) 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.0°C)
Aug 88°/74°F (31.3°/23.5°C) 70°/50°F (21.0°/10.0°C)
Sep 82°/69°F (27.5°/20.3°C) 72°/50°F (22.0°/10.0°C)
Oct 72°/59°F (22.0°/14.8°C) 73°/48°F (23.0°/9.0°C)
Nov 62°/48°F (16.7°/8.8°C) 73°/45°F (23.0°/7.0°C)
Dec 54°/39°F (12.0°/3.8°C) 73°/45°F (23.0°/7.0°C)

Data: Japan Meteorological Agency Japan Meteorological Agency, Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI) Ethiopian Meteorological Institute (EMI)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Japan passport

Japan passport holder visiting Ethiopia

Visa on Arrival
Japan passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Ethiopia.
Ethiopia passport

Ethiopia passport holder visiting Japan

Visa Required
Ethiopia passport holders need a visa to enter Japan.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Ethiopia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Ethiopia: 0.5 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Ethiopia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Ethiopia safe for expats?

Japan performs better than Ethiopia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Ethiopia is 8.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.2 in Japan.

How is healthcare in Ethiopia compared to Japan?

Japan generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Ethiopia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Ethiopia, compared to 26.1 in Japan. Ethiopia scores 35 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Japan: 83).

What's the weather like in Ethiopia compared to Japan?

The average high temperature in Addis Ababa is 74°F, compared to 69°F in Tokyo. Addis Ababa receives around 45.9 in of rainfall per year, while Tokyo gets 62.9 in.

What language do they speak in Ethiopia?

The official language in Ethiopia is Amharic. In Japan, the official language is Japanese.

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At a Glance

JP ET
Population 124,214,766 113,656,596
Currency Japanese Yen (¥) Ethiopian Birr (ETB)
Languages Japanese Amharic
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +81 +251
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 110 911