Moving to Iraq from Lesotho

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Lesotho to Iraq, and you’d need to navigate life in Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Baghdad averages 87°F vs 74°F in Maseru, making it significantly warmer.

Get free moving quotes to Iraq

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Iraq compared to Lesotho.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2013

per 100,000 people per year

LS
37.7
IQ
9.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

LS
21.6
IQ
21.5

Iraq performs significantly better than Lesotho across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

LS
$386
IQ
$843
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

LS
1.5
IQ
10.1

Iraq generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Lesotho 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

LS
100.0
IQ
87.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

LS
0.4t
IQ
5.2t

Lesotho generally does better on environment, though Iraq leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

LS
0.4
IQ
14.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

LS
2.6%
IQ
59.6%

Lesotho generally does better on infrastructure, though Iraq leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

LS
16.5%
IQ
15.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

LS
$2,500
IQ
$12,600

Iraq performs significantly better than Lesotho across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

LS
59.6 yrs
IQ
73.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

LS
48.4
IQ
19.6

Lesotho generally does better on family life, though Iraq leads in life expectancy.

Data: Ministry of Finance, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Maseru Rain: 25.3 in/yr (642 mm)
74° / 47°F

Avg. annual high / low

Baghdad Rain: 4.8 in/yr (123 mm)
87° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Maseru Baghdad
Jan–Mar 81°/57°F (27°/14°C) 66°/43°F (19°/6°C)
Apr–Jun 67°/39°F (20°/4°C) 97°/67°F (36°/20°C)
Jul–Sep 68°/37°F (20°/3°C) 108°/74°F (43°/24°C)
Oct–Dec 79°/53°F (26°/12°C) 77°/50°F (25°/10°C)
View all months
Month Maseru Baghdad
Jan 84°/59°F (28.7°/14.8°C) 60°/39°F (15.5°/3.8°C)
Feb 82°/58°F (27.6°/14.6°C) 65°/42°F (18.5°/5.5°C)
Mar 78°/54°F (25.7°/12.5°C) 74°/49°F (23.6°/9.6°C)
Apr 73°/47°F (22.9°/8.6°C) 86°/59°F (29.9°/15.2°C)
May 67°/39°F (19.7°/3.7°C) 98°/68°F (36.5°/20.1°C)
Jun 62°/32°F (16.7°/0.2°C) 106°/74°F (41.3°/23.3°C)
Jul 62°/31°F (16.9°/-0.5°C) 111°/78°F (44.0°/25.5°C)
Aug 67°/36°F (19.7°/2.4°C) 110°/76°F (43.5°/24.5°C)
Sep 74°/44°F (23.3°/6.9°C) 104°/69°F (40.2°/20.7°C)
Oct 77°/50°F (24.8°/10.1°C) 92°/61°F (33.4°/15.9°C)
Nov 79°/53°F (26.3°/11.9°C) 75°/49°F (23.7°/9.2°C)
Dec 82°/56°F (27.9°/13.4°C) 63°/41°F (17.2°/5.1°C)

Data: Lesotho Meteorological Services Lesotho Meteorological Services, Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology Iraqi Meteorological Organization and Seismology

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Lesotho passport

Lesotho passport holder visiting Iraq

Visa Required
Lesotho passport holders need a visa to enter Iraq.
Iraq passport

Iraq passport holder visiting Lesotho

Visa Required
Iraq passport holders need a visa to enter Lesotho.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Iraq?

Connectivity is usually fine (Iraq: 14.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Iraq offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Iraq safe for expats?

Iraq performs significantly better than Lesotho across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Iraq is 9.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 37.7 in Lesotho.

How is healthcare in Iraq compared to Lesotho?

Iraq generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Lesotho leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 10.1 doctors per 10,000 people in Iraq, compared to 1.5 in Lesotho. Iraq scores 59 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Lesotho: 53).

What's the weather like in Iraq compared to Lesotho?

The average high temperature in Baghdad is 87°F, compared to 74°F in Maseru. Baghdad receives around 4.8 in of rainfall per year, while Maseru gets 25.3 in.

What language do they speak in Iraq?

The official languages in Iraq are Arabic, Aramaic and Sorani. In Lesotho, the official languages are English and Sotho.

Share this

At a Glance

LS IQ
Population 2,193,970 40,462,701
Currency Lesotho Loti (LSL) Iraqi Dinar (IQD)
Languages English, Sotho Arabic, Aramaic, Sorani
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +266 +964
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 104