Moving to Panama from Sierra Leone

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Sierra Leone to Panama, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish.

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Key Indicator Comparison

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

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

SL
2.1
PA
11.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SL
13.8
PA
7.3

Sierra Leone generally does better on safety, though Panama leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SL
$159
PA
$3,318
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

SL
0.4
PA
17.3

Panama 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

SL
97.0
PA
17.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SL
0.2t
PA
2.7t

Sierra Leone generally does better on environment, though Panama 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

SL
0.0
PA
15.5
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SL
0.5%
PA
0.9%

Panama 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

SL
3.2%
PA
6.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SL
$1,700
PA
$35,800

Panama 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

SL
58.8 yrs
PA
77.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SL
73.4
PA
16.4

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

Data: National Revenue Authority, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Panama City Rain: 75.1 in/yr (1907 mm)
93° / 68°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Freetown Panama City
Jan–Mar 87°/75°F (30°/24°C) 94°/65°F (34°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 87°/76°F (31°/24°C) 94°/69°F (35°/21°C)
Jul–Sep 84°/74°F (29°/23°C) 92°/70°F (34°/21°C)
Oct–Dec 86°/75°F (30°/24°C) 91°/68°F (33°/20°C)
View all months
Month Freetown Panama City
Jan 86°/75°F (29.9°/23.8°C) 92°/65°F (33.4°/18.5°C)
Feb 87°/75°F (30.3°/24.0°C) 94°/65°F (34.2°/18.4°C)
Mar 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C) 95°/65°F (34.8°/18.4°C)
Apr 88°/77°F (31.2°/24.8°C) 96°/67°F (35.4°/19.5°C)
May 88°/76°F (30.9°/24.4°C) 94°/70°F (34.5°/21.1°C)
Jun 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.6°C) 93°/70°F (33.8°/21.3°C)
Jul 84°/74°F (28.7°/23.1°C) 93°/70°F (33.9°/21.0°C)
Aug 83°/73°F (28.4°/23.0°C) 93°/70°F (33.9°/20.9°C)
Sep 84°/74°F (29.0°/23.1°C) 91°/70°F (32.9°/21.0°C)
Oct 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.4°C) 91°/69°F (32.6°/20.8°C)
Nov 86°/75°F (30.1°/24.0°C) 91°/69°F (32.9°/20.3°C)
Dec 85°/75°F (29.7°/24.1°C) 92°/67°F (33.3°/19.2°C)

Data: Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency Sierra Leone Meteorological Agency, IMHPA - Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá IMHPA - Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Sierra Leone passport

Sierra Leone passport holder visiting Panama

Visa Required
Sierra Leone passport holders need a visa to enter Panama.
Panama passport

Panama passport holder visiting Sierra Leone

Visa Required
Panama passport holders need a visa to enter Sierra Leone.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Panama?

Connectivity is usually fine (Panama: 15.5 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Panama offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Panama safe for expats?

Sierra Leone generally does better on safety, though Panama leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Panama is 11.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.1 in Sierra Leone.

How is healthcare in Panama compared to Sierra Leone?

Panama generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Sierra Leone leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 17.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Panama, compared to 0.4 in Sierra Leone. Panama scores 78 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Sierra Leone: 41).

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

The average high temperature in Panama City is 93°F, compared to 86°F in Freetown. Panama City receives around 75.1 in of rainfall per year, while Freetown gets 116.0 in.

What language do they speak in Panama?

The official language in Panama is Spanish. In Sierra Leone, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

SL PA
Population 8,692,606 4,337,768
Currency Sierra Leonean Leone (SLL) Panamanian Balboa (PAB)
Languages English Spanish
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +232 +507
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 911