Moving to Burundi from New Zealand

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from New Zealand to Burundi, and you’d need to navigate life in French and Kirundi. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Bujumbura averages 85°F vs 62°F in Wellington, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Burundi compared to New Zealand.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NZ
1.1
BI
5.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

NZ
6.6
BI
12.3

New Zealand performs better than Burundi across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

NZ
$5,576
BI
$100
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

NZ
35.7
BI
0.6

New Zealand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi 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

NZ
12.0
BI
71.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

NZ
6.0t
BI
0.1t

New Zealand generally does better on environment, though Burundi 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

NZ
35.9
BI
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

NZ
8.1%
BI
10.2%

New Zealand performs better than Burundi across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

NZ
3.7%
BI
0.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

NZ
$48,800
BI
$900

New Zealand generally does better on employment & economy, though Burundi leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

NZ
82.5 yrs
BI
67.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

NZ
3.4
BI
37.8

New Zealand performs better than Burundi 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.

Wellington Rain: 37.7 in/yr (957 mm)
62° / 51°F

Avg. annual high / low

Bujumbura Rain: 30.9 in/yr (786 mm)
85° / 66°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Wellington Bujumbura
Jan–Mar 69°/58°F (21°/14°C) 85°/67°F (29°/19°C)
Apr–Jun 59°/49°F (15°/10°C) 86°/66°F (30°/19°C)
Jul–Sep 56°/46°F (13°/8°C) 86°/64°F (30°/18°C)
Oct–Dec 64°/53°F (18°/12°C) 85°/66°F (29°/19°C)
View all months
Month Wellington Bujumbura
Jan 70°/58°F (21.2°/14.7°C) 84°/67°F (29.1°/19.2°C)
Feb 70°/59°F (21.3°/14.8°C) 85°/67°F (29.7°/19.3°C)
Mar 68°/56°F (19.8°/13.5°C) 85°/67°F (29.3°/19.3°C)
Apr 63°/53°F (17.4°/11.5°C) 85°/67°F (29.2°/19.6°C)
May 59°/49°F (15.2°/9.7°C) 86°/66°F (29.9°/19.1°C)
Jun 56°/46°F (13.1°/7.9°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.6°C)
Jul 54°/44°F (12.3°/6.9°C) 85°/63°F (29.2°/17.2°C)
Aug 55°/45°F (12.9°/7.4°C) 86°/63°F (30.0°/17.4°C)
Sep 58°/48°F (14.5°/8.8°C) 88°/65°F (30.9°/18.6°C)
Oct 60°/50°F (15.8°/10.0°C) 86°/66°F (30.1°/19.1°C)
Nov 64°/53°F (17.5°/11.4°C) 84°/66°F (29.1°/19.1°C)
Dec 67°/56°F (19.6°/13.5°C) 84°/66°F (28.9°/19.1°C)

Data: New Zealand National Meteorological Service New Zealand National Meteorological Service, Institut Géographique du Burundi (IGEBU) Institut Géographique du Burundi (IGEBU)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

New Zealand passport

New Zealand passport holder visiting Burundi

Visa on Arrival
New Zealand passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Burundi.
Burundi passport

Burundi passport holder visiting New Zealand

Visa Required
Burundi passport holders need a visa to enter New Zealand.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Burundi?

Connectivity is usually fine (Burundi: 0.0 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Burundi offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Burundi safe for expats?

New Zealand performs better than Burundi across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Burundi is 5.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.1 in New Zealand.

How is healthcare in Burundi compared to New Zealand?

New Zealand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Burundi, compared to 35.7 in New Zealand. Burundi scores 41 on the WHO universal health coverage index (New Zealand: 85).

What's the weather like in Burundi compared to New Zealand?

The average high temperature in Bujumbura is 85°F, compared to 62°F in Wellington. Bujumbura receives around 30.9 in of rainfall per year, while Wellington gets 37.7 in.

What language do they speak in Burundi?

The official languages in Burundi are French and Kirundi. In New Zealand, the official languages are English, Māori and New Zealand Sign Language.

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At a Glance

NZ BI
Population 5,053,004 12,696,478
Currency New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) Burundian Franc (BIF)
Languages English, Māori, New Zealand Sign Language French, Kirundi
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +64 +257
Time zones 5 1
Emergency number 111