Moving to Zimbabwe from Latvia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Latvia to Zimbabwe, and you’d need to navigate life in Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Harare averages 78°F vs 50°F in Riga, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Zimbabwe compared to Latvia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

LV
3.6
ZW
6.7
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

LV
9.8
ZW
29.9

Latvia performs better than Zimbabwe across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

LV
$3,034
ZW
$63
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

LV
33.8
ZW
1.7

Latvia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe 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

LV
40.0
ZW
56.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

LV
3.6t
ZW
0.8t

Latvia generally does better on environment, though Zimbabwe 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

LV
26.4
ZW
1.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

LV
1.1%
ZW
46.1%

Latvia performs better than Zimbabwe across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

LV
6.5%
ZW
8.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

LV
$37,800
ZW
$3,500

Latvia performs better than Zimbabwe across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

LV
75.9 yrs
ZW
63.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

LV
4.8
ZW
28.5

Latvia performs better than Zimbabwe across all family life metrics.

Data: State Revenue Service, Latvia, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Riga Rain: 24.9 in/yr (633 mm)
50° / 36°F

Avg. annual high / low

Harare Rain: 33.1 in/yr (841 mm)
78° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Riga Harare
Jan–Mar 31°/20°F (0°/-7°C) 79°/59°F (26°/15°C)
Apr–Jun 60°/42°F (15°/6°C) 75°/49°F (24°/10°C)
Jul–Sep 67°/51°F (20°/11°C) 76°/48°F (25°/9°C)
Oct–Dec 41°/31°F (5°/0°C) 82°/59°F (28°/15°C)
View all months
Month Riga Harare
Jan 28°/18°F (-2.3°/-7.8°C) 79°/60°F (26.2°/15.8°C)
Feb 29°/18°F (-1.7°/-7.6°C) 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.7°C)
Mar 37°/24°F (2.7°/-4.7°C) 79°/58°F (26.2°/14.5°C)
Apr 50°/34°F (9.8°/1.0°C) 78°/54°F (25.6°/12.5°C)
May 61°/43°F (16.2°/5.9°C) 75°/49°F (23.8°/9.3°C)
Jun 68°/50°F (20.1°/10.0°C) 71°/44°F (21.8°/6.8°C)
Jul 71°/54°F (21.7°/12.3°C) 71°/44°F (21.6°/6.5°C)
Aug 70°/53°F (21.0°/11.8°C) 75°/47°F (24.1°/8.5°C)
Sep 61°/46°F (16.3°/8.0°C) 83°/53°F (28.4°/11.7°C)
Oct 51°/39°F (10.4°/4.0°C) 84°/58°F (28.8°/14.5°C)
Nov 39°/31°F (3.9°/-0.5°C) 82°/60°F (27.6°/15.5°C)
Dec 33°/24°F (0.3°/-4.4°C) 79°/60°F (26.3°/15.8°C)

Data: Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre, Meteorological Services Department Meteorological Services Department

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Latvia passport

Latvia passport holder visiting Zimbabwe

Visa on Arrival
Latvia passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe passport

Zimbabwe passport holder visiting Latvia

Visa Required
Zimbabwe passport holders need a visa to enter Latvia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Zimbabwe?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zimbabwe: 1.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zimbabwe offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zimbabwe safe for expats?

Latvia performs better than Zimbabwe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zimbabwe is 6.7 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Latvia.

How is healthcare in Zimbabwe compared to Latvia?

Latvia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Zimbabwe, compared to 33.8 in Latvia. Zimbabwe scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Latvia: 75).

What's the weather like in Zimbabwe compared to Latvia?

The average high temperature in Harare is 78°F, compared to 50°F in Riga. Harare receives around 33.1 in of rainfall per year, while Riga gets 24.9 in.

What language do they speak in Zimbabwe?

The official languages in Zimbabwe are Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language. In Latvia, the official language is Latvian.

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At a Glance

LV ZW
Population 1,842,226 15,121,004
Currency Euro (€) Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL)
Languages Latvian Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +371 +263
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 999