Moving to Zambia from Madagascar

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Madagascar to Zambia, and you’d need to navigate life in 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 Zambia compared to Madagascar.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MG
22.5
ZM
17.1

Zambia 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
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

MG
1.8
ZM
2.6

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia 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

MG
58.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MG
0.1t
ZM
0.5t

Madagascar generally does better on environment, though Zambia 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
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MG
11.3%
ZM
2.8%

Zambia performs significantly better than Madagascar across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MG
3.1%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MG
$1,700
ZM
$3,700

Madagascar generally does better on employment & economy, though Zambia 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
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MG
39.0
ZM
37.1

Zambia generally does better on family life, though Madagascar 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

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Antananarivo Lusaka
Jan–Mar 79°/63°F (26°/17°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/57°F (24°/14°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/52°F (22°/11°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 79°/60°F (26°/16°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Antananarivo Lusaka
Jan 80°/63°F (26.4°/17.3°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 79°/63°F (26.3°/17.4°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 79°/63°F (26.2°/17.0°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 78°/60°F (25.4°/15.8°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 75°/57°F (23.7°/13.8°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 71°/53°F (21.4°/11.5°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.5°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 71°/52°F (21.4°/10.9°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 75°/54°F (23.7°/12.1°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 78°/57°F (25.7°/14.1°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 80°/62°F (26.8°/16.9°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Direction Générale de la Météorologie Direction Générale de la Météorologie, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Madagascar passport

Madagascar passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Free
Madagascar passport holders can enter Zambia without a visa.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Madagascar

Visa on Arrival
Zambia 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 Zambia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Zambia: 0.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Zambia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Zambia performs significantly better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Madagascar?

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 1.8 in Madagascar. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Madagascar: 35).

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

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 76°F in Antananarivo. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Antananarivo gets 47.2 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In Madagascar, the official languages are French and Malagasy.

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At a Glance

MG ZM
Population 28,172,462 19,642,123
Currency Malagasy Ariary (MGA) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages French, Malagasy English
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +261 +260
Time zones 1 1