Moving to Switzerland from Rwanda

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Rwanda to Switzerland. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Bern averages 55°F vs 80°F in Kigali, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Rwanda to Switzerland.

Moved in 2023
44 ↑ 13% vs 2022

people moved from Rwanda to Switzerland · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Switzerland?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Switzerland compared to Rwanda.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

RW
3.6
CH
0.5
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

RW
11.6
CH
2.4

Switzerland performs significantly better than Rwanda across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

RW
$177
CH
$10,602
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

RW
1.2
CH
44.4

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Switzerland 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
CH
10.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

RW
0.2t
CH
3.7t

Rwanda generally does better on environment, though Switzerland 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
CH
47.1
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

RW
20.2%
CH
6.5%

Switzerland 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%
CH
4.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

RW
$3,000
CH
$82,900

Switzerland 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
CH
83.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

RW
26.4
CH
3.6

Switzerland 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

Bern Rain: 42.8 in/yr (1086 mm)
55° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Kigali Bern
Jan–Mar 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 41°/30°F (5°/-1°C)
Apr–Jun 79°/61°F (26°/16°C) 62°/45°F (17°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 82°/60°F (28°/16°C) 70°/53°F (21°/12°C)
Oct–Dec 80°/60°F (27°/16°C) 46°/36°F (8°/2°C)
View all months
Month Kigali Bern
Jan 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C) 36°/27°F (2.0°/-2.8°C)
Feb 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C) 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.9°C)
Mar 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C) 47°/33°F (8.3°/0.6°C)
Apr 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C) 55°/39°F (12.6°/3.7°C)
May 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C) 63°/46°F (17.3°/7.7°C)
Jun 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C) 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.8°C)
Jul 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C) 73°/55°F (23.0°/12.8°C)
Aug 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C) 72°/54°F (22.0°/12.4°C)
Sep 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C) 66°/50°F (18.8°/10.0°C)
Oct 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C) 56°/43°F (13.3°/6.2°C)
Nov 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C) 44°/35°F (6.9°/1.4°C)
Dec 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C) 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.7°C)

Data: Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency, MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Switzerland

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

Switzerland passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa Free
Switzerland 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 Switzerland?

Connectivity is usually fine (Switzerland: 47.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Switzerland offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Switzerland safe for expats?

Switzerland performs significantly better than Rwanda across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Switzerland is 0.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.6 in Rwanda.

How is healthcare in Switzerland compared to Rwanda?

Rwanda generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Switzerland leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 44.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Switzerland, compared to 1.2 in Rwanda. Switzerland scores 86 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Rwanda: 49).

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

The average high temperature in Bern is 55°F, compared to 80°F in Kigali. Bern receives around 42.8 in of rainfall per year, while Kigali gets 37.4 in.

What language do they speak in Switzerland?

The official languages in Switzerland are French, Italian, Romansh and Swiss German. In Rwanda, the official languages are English, French and Kinyarwanda.

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At a Glance

RW CH
Population 13,173,730 8,508,698
Currency Rwandan Franc (RWF) Swiss Franc (CHF)
Languages English, French, Kinyarwanda French, Italian, Romansh, Swiss German
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +250 +41
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 112