Moving to Jamaica from Madagascar

moving to

What to Expect

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

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

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Jamaica compared to Madagascar.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MG
22.5
JM
17.8

Jamaica performs significantly better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

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

affects wait times and access to care

MG
1.8
JM
5.5

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

MG
58.0
JM
22.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MG
0.1t
JM
2.8t

Madagascar generally does better on environment, though Jamaica 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

MG
0.1
JM
15.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MG
11.3%
JM
12.4%

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

MG
3.1%
JM
4.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MG
$1,700
JM
$10,300

Madagascar generally does better on employment & economy, though Jamaica leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MG
68.2 yrs
JM
75.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MG
39.0
JM
11.2

Jamaica performs significantly better than Madagascar across all family life metrics.

Data: General Direction of Taxes, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Kingston Rain: 32.0 in/yr (813 mm)
89° / 73°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Madagascar passport

Madagascar passport holder visiting Jamaica

Visa Required
Madagascar passport holders need a visa to enter Jamaica.
Jamaica passport

Jamaica passport holder visiting Madagascar

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Jamaica?

Connectivity is usually fine (Jamaica: 15.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Jamaica offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Jamaica safe for expats?

Jamaica performs significantly better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Jamaica compared to Madagascar?

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

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

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

What language do they speak in Jamaica?

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

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At a Glance

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