Moving to Timor-Leste from Kenya

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Kenya to Timor-Leste? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Kenya to Timor-Leste, and you’d need to navigate life in Portuguese and Tetum.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Timor-Leste compared to Kenya.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

KE
4.9
TL
4.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

KE
28.2
TL
12.0

Timor-Leste performs significantly better than Kenya across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

KE
$274
TL
$461
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

KE
1.0
TL
7.7

Kenya generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Timor-Leste 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

KE
33.0
TL
61.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

KE
0.4t
TL
0.5t

Kenya performs better than Timor-Leste 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

KE
1.9
TL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

KE
33.2%
TL
28.3%

Kenya generally does better on infrastructure, though Timor-Leste leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

KE
5.7%
TL
1.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

KE
$5,700
TL
$4,600

Kenya generally does better on employment & economy, though Timor-Leste leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

KE
69.7 yrs
TL
69.9 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

KE
27.9
TL
33.7

Kenya generally does better on family life, though Timor-Leste leads in life expectancy.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Kenya passport

Kenya passport holder visiting Timor-Leste

Visa on Arrival
Kenya passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste.
Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting Kenya

Electronic Travel Authorisation
Timor-Leste passport holders need an electronic travel authorisation (ETA) to enter Kenya.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Timor-Leste?

Connectivity is usually fine (Timor-Leste: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Timor-Leste offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Timor-Leste safe for expats?

Timor-Leste performs significantly better than Kenya across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Timor-Leste is 4.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 4.9 in Kenya.

How is healthcare in Timor-Leste compared to Kenya?

Kenya generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Timor-Leste leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 7.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Timor-Leste, compared to 1.0 in Kenya. Timor-Leste scores 52 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Kenya: 53).

What language do they speak in Timor-Leste?

The official languages in Timor-Leste are Portuguese and Tetum. In Kenya, the official languages are English and Swahili.

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At a Glance

KE TL
Population 55,864,655 1,445,006
Currency Kenyan Shilling (KES) United States Dollar ($)
Languages English, Swahili Portuguese, Tetum
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +254 +670
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999