Moving to Botswana from Sao Tome and Principe
What to Expect
Considering a move from Sao Tome and Principe to Botswana? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Botswana, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Tswana. 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 Botswana compared to Sao Tome and Principe.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics.
How's the healthcare?
annual government + private spending per person
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
share of adults with obesity
per 100,000 people — a proxy for mental health support
Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Botswana across all health & wellbeing metrics.
What about the environment?
deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people
tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on environment, though Botswana leads in air pollution deaths.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
higher means greater strain on freshwater supply
share of households with internet
Botswana generally does better on infrastructure, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in water stress level.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
share of people below the poverty line
Botswana generally does better on employment & economy, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in unemployment rate.
Is it good for families?
average years of life at birth
deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better
government spending on education as % of GDP
percentage of adults who can read and write
Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on family life, though Botswana leads in infant mortality.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between Sao Tome and Principe and Botswana. To live, work, or study long-term in Botswana, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Botswana's immigration authority.
Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Botswana
Visa Online (e-Visa)
Botswana passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe
Visa Online (e-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 Botswana?
Connectivity is usually fine (Botswana: 4.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Botswana offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Botswana safe for expats?
Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Botswana across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Botswana is 10.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.
How is healthcare in Botswana compared to Sao Tome and Principe?
Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Botswana across all health & wellbeing metrics. There are 3.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Botswana, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Botswana scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).
What language do they speak in Botswana?
The official languages in Botswana are English and Tswana. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.
