Moving to Samoa from Rwanda

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Rwanda to Samoa. 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 Samoa compared to Rwanda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
WS
6.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
WS
9.6

Rwanda generally does better on safety, though Samoa leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
WS
$474
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
WS
5.5

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa 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

RW
62.0
WS
34.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
WS
1.6t

Rwanda generally does better on environment, though Samoa 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

RW
0.3
WS
0.8
Internet access The World Factbook, 2021

share of households with internet

RW
30.0%
WS
78.0%

Samoa performs significantly 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

RW
14.9%
WS
9.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
WS
$6,000

Samoa performs significantly better than Rwanda across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

RW
65.8 yrs
WS
75.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
WS
17.0

Samoa performs significantly better than Rwanda across all family life metrics.

Data: Rwanda Revenue Authority, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Apia Rain: 116.7 in/yr (2965 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Apia
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 87°/75°F (31°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 85°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 87°/74°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Apia
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 87°/75°F (30.5°/23.8°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Samoa

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

Samoa passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa Free
Samoa passport holders can enter Rwanda 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 Samoa?

Connectivity is usually fine (Samoa: 0.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Samoa offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Samoa safe for expats?

Rwanda generally does better on safety, though Samoa leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Samoa is 6.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in Samoa compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Samoa, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Samoa scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

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

The average high temperature in Apia is 86°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Apia receives around 116.7 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Samoa?

The official languages in Samoa are English and Samoan. In Rwanda, the official languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.

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At a Glance

RW WS
Population 13,173,730 206,179
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) Samoan Tala (WST)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda English, Samoan
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +250 +685
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112