Moving to South Africa from Nauru

moving to

What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Nauru to South Africa — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Nauru to South Africa.

Get free moving quotes to South Africa

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

Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from Nauru to South Africa, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
24 ↑ 14% vs 2015

people born in Nauru live in South Africa · UN DESA

Who's moving to South Africa?

Top countries of origin for South Africa's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Nauru to South Africa.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NR
8.0
ZA
24.5

Nauru performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

NR
$2,474
ZA
$1,354
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

NR
12.5
ZA
8.1

South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Nauru leads in doctors per 10,000 people.

What about the environment?

CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

NR
0.0t
ZA
6.9t

Nauru performs better than South Africa 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

NR
9.3
ZA
3.3

Nauru performs better than South Africa across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

NR
23.0%
ZA
28.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

NR
$11,400
ZA
$14,300

Nauru generally does better on employment & economy, though South Africa leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

NR
67.9 yrs
ZA
65.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

NR
7.8
ZA
25.9

Nauru performs better than South Africa across all family life metrics.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Nauru passport

Nauru passport holder visiting South Africa

Visa Required
Nauru passport holders need a visa to enter South Africa.
South Africa passport

South Africa passport holder visiting Nauru

Visa Required
South Africa passport holders need a visa to enter Nauru.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from South Africa?

Internet is rarely the blocker — South Africa has 3.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is South Africa safe for expats?

Nauru performs better than South Africa across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in South Africa compared to Nauru?

South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Nauru leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 8.1 doctors per 10,000 people in South Africa, compared to 12.5 in Nauru. South Africa scores 71 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Nauru: 60).

What language do they speak in South Africa?

The official languages in South Africa are Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu. In Nauru, the official languages are English and Nauru.

Share this

At a Glance

NR ZA
Population 9,811 57,516,665
Currency Australian Dollar (A$) South African Rand (ZAR)
Languages English, Nauru Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +674 +27
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 10111