Moving to Suriname from Rwanda

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Rwanda to Suriname, and you’d need to navigate life in Dutch. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Paramaribo averages 92°F vs 80°F in Kigali, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Suriname compared to Rwanda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
SR
7.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
SR
16.2

Rwanda performs better than Suriname across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
SR
$1,143
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
SR
14.8

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Suriname 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
SR
39.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
SR
4.1t

Rwanda generally does better on environment, though Suriname 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
SR
20.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

RW
20.2%
SR
4.0%

Suriname 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%
SR
7.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
SR
$19,000

Suriname 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

RW
65.8 yrs
SR
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
SR
30.2

Suriname generally does better on family life, though Rwanda leads in infant mortality.

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

Paramaribo Rain: 84.6 in/yr (2148 mm)
92° / 72°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Paramaribo
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 89°/71°F (32°/22°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 91°/73°F (33°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 93°/73°F (34°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 94°/73°F (34°/23°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Paramaribo
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 89°/71°F (31.8°/21.6°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 88°/71°F (31.3°/21.6°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 90°/71°F (32.1°/21.8°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 91°/73°F (32.6°/22.6°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 91°/73°F (32.9°/22.7°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 92°/72°F (33.2°/22.5°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 92°/72°F (33.5°/22.5°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 93°/73°F (34.1°/22.7°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 94°/73°F (34.7°/22.9°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 95°/73°F (35.1°/22.9°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 94°/73°F (34.3°/22.6°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 92°/72°F (33.4°/22.5°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency, Meteorological Service Meteorological Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Suriname

Visa Free
Rwanda passport holders can enter Suriname without a visa.
Suriname passport

Suriname passport holder visiting Rwanda

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Suriname?

Connectivity is usually fine (Suriname: 20.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Suriname offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Suriname safe for expats?

Rwanda performs better than Suriname across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Suriname is 7.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in Suriname compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Suriname leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 14.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Suriname, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Suriname scores 63 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

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

The average high temperature in Paramaribo is 92°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Paramaribo receives around 84.6 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Suriname?

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

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At a Glance

RW SR
Population 13,173,730 632,638
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) Surinamese Dollar (SRD)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda Dutch
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +250 +597
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112