Moving to Rwanda from Netherlands

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Netherlands to Rwanda, and you’d need to navigate life in English, French and Kinyarwanda. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Kigali averages 80°F vs 56°F in Amsterdam, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Rwanda compared to Netherlands.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

NL
0.8
RW
3.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NL
3.4
RW
11.6

Netherlands performs better than Rwanda across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

NL
$8,195
RW
$177
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

NL
39.1
RW
1.2

Netherlands generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Rwanda 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

NL
13.0
RW
62.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

NL
6.6t
RW
0.2t

Netherlands generally does better on environment, though Rwanda leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

NL
44.4
RW
0.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

NL
16.1%
RW
20.2%

Netherlands performs better than Rwanda across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

NL
3.6%
RW
14.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

NL
$69,300
RW
$3,000

Netherlands generally does better on employment & economy, though Rwanda leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

NL
82.2 yrs
RW
65.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

NL
3.4
RW
26.4

Netherlands performs better than Rwanda across all family life metrics.

Data: Tax and Customs Administration - Belastingdienst, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Amsterdam Rain: 30.7 in/yr (780 mm)
56° / 43°F

Avg. annual high / low

Kigali Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
80° / 60°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Amsterdam Kigali
Jan–Mar 45°/34°F (7°/1°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 61°/45°F (16°/7°C) 79°/61°F (26°/16°C)
Jul–Sep 69°/53°F (21°/12°C) 82°/60°F (28°/16°C)
Oct–Dec 50°/40°F (10°/4°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
View all months
Month Amsterdam Kigali
Jan 42°/33°F (5.4°/0.5°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C)
Feb 43°/32°F (6.0°/0.2°C) 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C)
Mar 49°/36°F (9.2°/2.4°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C)
Apr 54°/39°F (12.4°/4.0°C) 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C)
May 63°/46°F (17.1°/7.8°C) 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C)
Jun 67°/51°F (19.2°/10.4°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C)
Jul 71°/54°F (21.4°/12.5°C) 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C)
Aug 71°/54°F (21.8°/12.3°C) 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C)
Sep 65°/50°F (18.4°/10.2°C) 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C)
Oct 57°/45°F (14.1°/7.0°C) 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C)
Nov 49°/39°F (9.2°/3.9°C) 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C)
Dec 44°/35°F (6.5°/1.9°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C)

Data: Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute Royal Netherlands Meteorological Institute, Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Netherlands passport

Netherlands passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa on Arrival
Netherlands passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda.
Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Netherlands

Visa Required
Rwanda passport holders need a visa to enter Netherlands.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Rwanda?

Connectivity is usually fine (Rwanda: 0.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Rwanda offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Rwanda safe for expats?

Netherlands performs better than Rwanda across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Rwanda is 3.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.8 in Netherlands.

How is healthcare in Rwanda compared to Netherlands?

Netherlands generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Rwanda leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Rwanda, compared to 39.1 in Netherlands. Rwanda scores 49 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Netherlands: 85).

What's the weather like in Rwanda compared to Netherlands?

The average high temperature in Kigali is 80°F, compared to 56°F in Amsterdam. Kigali receives around 37.4 in of rainfall per year, while Amsterdam gets 30.7 in.

What language do they speak in Rwanda?

The official languages in Rwanda are English, French and Kinyarwanda. In Netherlands, the official language is Dutch.

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At a Glance

NL RW
Population 17,400,824 13,173,730
Currency Euro (€) Rwandan Franc (RWF)
Languages Dutch English, French, Kinyarwanda
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +31 +250
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 112