Moving to Sierra Leone from Rwanda

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Rwanda to Sierra Leone.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Rwanda to Sierra Leone.

Living there in 2010
1 ↓ 50% vs 2005

people born in Rwanda live in Sierra Leone · UN DESA

Who's moving to Sierra Leone?

Top countries of origin for Sierra Leone's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Sierra Leone compared to Rwanda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
SL
2.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
SL
13.8

Rwanda generally does better on safety, though Sierra Leone leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
SL
$159
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
SL
0.4

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sierra Leone 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

RW
62.0
SL
97.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
SL
0.2t

Rwanda performs better than Sierra Leone 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

RW
0.3
SL
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

RW
20.2%
SL
0.5%

Rwanda generally does better on infrastructure, though Sierra Leone leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

RW
14.9%
SL
3.2%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
SL
$1,700

Rwanda generally does better on employment & economy, though Sierra Leone leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

RW
65.8 yrs
SL
58.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
SL
73.4

Rwanda generally does better on family life, though Sierra Leone leads in education spending.

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

Freetown Rain: 116.0 in/yr (2946 mm)
86° / 75°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Freetown
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 87°/75°F (30°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 87°/76°F (31°/24°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 84°/74°F (29°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 86°/75°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Freetown
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 86°/75°F (29.9°/23.8°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 87°/75°F (30.3°/24.0°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 88°/77°F (31.2°/24.8°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.6°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 84°/74°F (28.7°/23.1°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 83°/73°F (28.4°/23.0°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 84°/74°F (29.0°/23.1°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.4°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 86°/75°F (30.1°/24.0°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 85°/75°F (29.7°/24.1°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency, Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Sierra Leone

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

Sierra Leone passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa Free
Sierra Leone 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 Sierra Leone?

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

Is Sierra Leone safe for expats?

Rwanda generally does better on safety, though Sierra Leone leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Sierra Leone is 2.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in Sierra Leone compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sierra Leone leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Sierra Leone, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Sierra Leone scores 41 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

What's the weather like in Sierra Leone compared to Rwanda?

The average high temperature in Freetown is 86°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Freetown receives around 116.0 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Sierra Leone?

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

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At a Glance

RW SL
Population 13,173,730 8,692,606
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda English
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +250 +232
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112