Moving to Burundi from Sao Tome and Principe

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Sao Tome and Principe to Burundi? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Sao Tome and Principe to Burundi, and you’d need to navigate life in French and Kirundi.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Burundi compared to Sao Tome and Principe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2016

per 100,000 people per year

ST
3.2
BI
5.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ST
11.7
BI
12.3

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Burundi across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ST
$355
BI
$100
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

ST
4.9
BI
0.6

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi 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

ST
85.0
BI
71.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ST
0.6t
BI
0.1t

Burundi performs significantly better than Sao Tome and Principe 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

ST
2.0
BI
0.0
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ST
1.9%
BI
10.2%

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Burundi across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ST
14.2%
BI
0.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ST
$5,500
BI
$900

Burundi generally does better on employment & economy, though Sao Tome and Principe leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ST
67.1 yrs
BI
67.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ST
44.4
BI
37.8

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on family life, though Burundi leads in life expectancy.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Sao Tome and Principe passport

Sao Tome and Principe passport holder visiting Burundi

Visa on Arrival
Sao Tome and Principe passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Burundi.
Burundi passport

Burundi passport holder visiting Sao Tome and Principe

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Burundi passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Sao Tome and Principe.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Burundi?

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

Is Burundi safe for expats?

Sao Tome and Principe performs better than Burundi across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Burundi is 5.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 3.2 in Sao Tome and Principe.

How is healthcare in Burundi compared to Sao Tome and Principe?

Sao Tome and Principe generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Burundi leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Burundi, compared to 4.9 in Sao Tome and Principe. Burundi scores 41 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sao Tome and Principe: 59).

What language do they speak in Burundi?

The official languages in Burundi are French and Kirundi. In Sao Tome and Principe, the official language is Portuguese.

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At a Glance

ST BI
Population 217,164 12,696,478
Currency São Tomé and Príncipe Dobra (STD) Burundian Franc (BIF)
Languages Portuguese French, Kirundi
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +239 +257
Time zones 1 1