Moving to Gambia from Malawi

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Malawi to Gambia. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Banjul averages 90°F vs 75°F in Lilongwe, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Gambia compared to Malawi.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

MW
20.2
GM
22.0

Malawi performs better than Gambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

MW
$125
GM
$94
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

MW
0.5
GM
1.0

Gambia 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

MW
43.0
GM
90.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

MW
0.2t
GM
0.2t

Malawi performs better than Gambia across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

MW
0.1
GM
0.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

MW
17.5%
GM
2.2%

Gambia performs significantly better than Malawi across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

MW
5.0%
GM
6.5%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

MW
$1,700
GM
$2,900

Malawi generally does better on employment & economy, though Gambia leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

MW
72.4 yrs
GM
67.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

MW
33.4
GM
37.2

Malawi performs better than Gambia across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Banjul Rain: 32.3 in/yr (821 mm)
90° / 70°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Lilongwe Banjul
Jan–Mar 78°/61°F (25°/16°C) 91°/65°F (33°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 72°/53°F (22°/11°C) 89°/70°F (32°/21°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/45°F (22°/7°C) 89°/74°F (32°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/57°F (27°/14°C) 92°/71°F (33°/22°C)
View all months
Month Lilongwe Banjul
Jan 78°/61°F (25.5°/16.1°C) 90°/64°F (32.4°/17.9°C)
Feb 78°/62°F (25.6°/16.5°C) 92°/65°F (33.2°/18.3°C)
Mar 77°/61°F (24.8°/16.0°C) 91°/67°F (32.9°/19.6°C)
Apr 74°/59°F (23.5°/14.9°C) 89°/68°F (31.8°/19.9°C)
May 72°/53°F (22.1°/11.6°C) 89°/70°F (31.6°/21.0°C)
Jun 69°/46°F (20.4°/7.9°C) 90°/72°F (32.4°/22.4°C)
Jul 69°/44°F (20.3°/6.5°C) 89°/74°F (31.8°/23.2°C)
Aug 71°/44°F (21.9°/6.6°C) 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.4°C)
Sep 77°/48°F (25.1°/8.7°C) 90°/74°F (32.1°/23.2°C)
Oct 81°/53°F (27.2°/11.7°C) 92°/75°F (33.5°/23.9°C)
Nov 81°/58°F (27.2°/14.2°C) 93°/71°F (34.0°/21.6°C)
Dec 79°/61°F (26.1°/15.9°C) 91°/67°F (32.9°/19.7°C)

Data: Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services Department of Climate Change and Meteorological Services, Department of Water Resources Department of Water Resources

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Malawi passport

Malawi passport holder visiting Gambia

Visa Free
Malawi passport holders can enter Gambia without a visa.
Gambia passport

Gambia passport holder visiting Malawi

Visa Free
Gambia passport holders can enter Malawi without a visa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Gambia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Gambia: 0.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Gambia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Gambia safe for expats?

Malawi performs better than Gambia across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Gambia compared to Malawi?

Gambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Malawi leads in health coverage index. There are 1.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Gambia, compared to 0.5 in Malawi. Gambia scores 46 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Malawi: 48).

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

The average high temperature in Banjul is 90°F, compared to 75°F in Lilongwe. Banjul receives around 32.3 in of rainfall per year, while Lilongwe gets 50.7 in.

What language do they speak in Gambia?

The official language in Gambia is English. In Malawi, the official languages are Chewa and English.

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At a Glance

MW GM
Population 20,794,353 2,413,403
Currency Malawian Kwacha (MWK) Gambian Dalasi (GMD)
Languages Chewa, English English
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +265 +220
Time zones 1 1