Moving to Malawi from Madagascar

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Madagascar to Malawi, and you’d need to navigate life in Chewa and English. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Malawi compared to Madagascar.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MG
22.5
MW
20.2

Malawi 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
MW
$125
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

MG
1.8
MW
0.5

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Malawi leads in health coverage index.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

MG
58.0
MW
43.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MG
0.1t
MW
0.2t

Madagascar generally does better on environment, though Malawi 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
MW
0.1
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MG
11.3%
MW
17.5%

Madagascar generally does better on infrastructure, though Malawi leads in internet access.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MG
3.1%
MW
5.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MG
$1,700
MW
$1,700

Madagascar generally does better on employment & economy, though Malawi leads in poverty rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MG
68.2 yrs
MW
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MG
39.0
MW
33.4

Madagascar generally does better on family life, though Malawi leads in life expectancy.

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

Lilongwe Rain: 50.7 in/yr (1289 mm)
75° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Antananarivo Lilongwe
Jan–Mar 79°/63°F (26°/17°C) 78°/61°F (25°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/57°F (24°/14°C) 72°/53°F (22°/11°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/52°F (22°/11°C) 72°/45°F (22°/7°C)
Oct–Dec 79°/60°F (26°/16°C) 80°/57°F (27°/14°C)
View all months
Month Antananarivo Lilongwe
Jan 80°/63°F (26.4°/17.3°C) 78°/61°F (25.5°/16.1°C)
Feb 79°/63°F (26.3°/17.4°C) 78°/62°F (25.6°/16.5°C)
Mar 79°/63°F (26.2°/17.0°C) 77°/61°F (24.8°/16.0°C)
Apr 78°/60°F (25.4°/15.8°C) 74°/59°F (23.5°/14.9°C)
May 75°/57°F (23.7°/13.8°C) 72°/53°F (22.1°/11.6°C)
Jun 71°/53°F (21.4°/11.5°C) 69°/46°F (20.4°/7.9°C)
Jul 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.5°C) 69°/44°F (20.3°/6.5°C)
Aug 71°/52°F (21.4°/10.9°C) 71°/44°F (21.9°/6.6°C)
Sep 75°/54°F (23.7°/12.1°C) 77°/48°F (25.1°/8.7°C)
Oct 78°/57°F (25.7°/14.1°C) 81°/53°F (27.2°/11.7°C)
Nov 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 81°/58°F (27.2°/14.2°C)
Dec 80°/62°F (26.8°/16.9°C) 79°/61°F (26.1°/15.9°C)

Data: Direction Générale de la Météorologie Direction Générale de la Météorologie, Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Madagascar passport

Madagascar passport holder visiting Malawi

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Madagascar passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Malawi.
Malawi passport

Malawi passport holder visiting Madagascar

Visa on Arrival
Malawi 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 Malawi?

Connectivity is usually fine (Malawi: 0.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Malawi offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Malawi safe for expats?

Malawi performs significantly better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Malawi compared to Madagascar?

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Malawi leads in health coverage index. There are 0.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Malawi, compared to 1.8 in Madagascar. Malawi scores 48 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Madagascar: 35).

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

The average high temperature in Lilongwe is 75°F, compared to 76°F in Antananarivo. Lilongwe receives around 50.7 in of rainfall per year, while Antananarivo gets 47.2 in.

What language do they speak in Malawi?

The official languages in Malawi are Chewa and English. In Madagascar, the official languages are French and Malagasy.

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At a Glance

MG MW
Population 28,172,462 20,794,353
Currency Malagasy Ariary (MGA) Malawian Kwacha (MWK)
Languages French, Malagasy Chewa, English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +261 +265
Time zones 1 1