Moving to Samoa from Somalia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Somalia to Samoa, and you’d need to navigate life in English and Samoan. 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 Samoa compared to Somalia.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SO
20.2
WS
9.6

Samoa performs significantly better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SO
$52
WS
$474
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

SO
0.2
WS
5.5

Somalia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa 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

SO
64.0
WS
34.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SO
0.0t
WS
1.6t

Somalia generally does better on environment, though Samoa 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

SO
0.7
WS
0.8

Samoa performs significantly better than Somalia across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SO
19.0%
WS
9.8%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SO
$1,500
WS
$6,000

Samoa performs significantly better than Somalia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SO
55.7 yrs
WS
75.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SO
86.5
WS
17.0

Samoa performs significantly better than Somalia across all family life metrics.

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

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Mogadishu Rain: 18.7 in/yr (474 mm)
86° / 75°F

Avg. annual high / low

Apia Rain: 116.7 in/yr (2965 mm)
86° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Mogadishu Apia
Jan–Mar 86°/74°F (30°/24°C) 87°/75°F (31°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 88°/76°F (31°/25°C) 87°/74°F (30°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 84°/73°F (29°/23°C) 85°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 87°/75°F (30°/24°C) 87°/74°F (30°/24°C)
View all months
Month Mogadishu Apia
Jan 86°/73°F (30.1°/23.0°C) 87°/75°F (30.4°/23.9°C)
Feb 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.2°C) 87°/76°F (30.6°/24.2°C)
Mar 87°/76°F (30.7°/24.7°C) 87°/75°F (30.6°/24.0°C)
Apr 90°/78°F (32.0°/25.5°C) 87°/75°F (30.7°/23.8°C)
May 88°/76°F (31.1°/24.7°C) 87°/74°F (30.4°/23.4°C)
Jun 85°/74°F (29.5°/23.6°C) 86°/74°F (30.0°/23.2°C)
Jul 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C) 85°/73°F (29.5°/22.6°C)
Aug 83°/73°F (28.5°/23.0°C) 85°/73°F (29.6°/22.8°C)
Sep 85°/74°F (29.2°/23.2°C) 86°/74°F (29.9°/23.1°C)
Oct 86°/76°F (30.1°/24.2°C) 86°/74°F (30.1°/23.4°C)
Nov 87°/75°F (30.5°/24.1°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.6°C)
Dec 87°/74°F (30.6°/23.5°C) 87°/75°F (30.5°/23.8°C)

Data:

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Somalia passport

Somalia passport holder visiting Samoa

Visa on Arrival
Somalia passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Samoa.
Samoa passport

Samoa passport holder visiting Somalia

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Samoa passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Somalia.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Samoa?

Connectivity is usually fine (Samoa: 0.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Samoa offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Samoa safe for expats?

Samoa performs significantly better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Samoa compared to Somalia?

Somalia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Samoa leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Samoa, compared to 0.2 in Somalia. Samoa scores 55 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Somalia: 27).

What's the weather like in Samoa compared to Somalia?

The average high temperature in Apia is 86°F, compared to 86°F in Mogadishu. Apia receives around 116.7 in of rainfall per year, while Mogadishu gets 18.7 in.

What language do they speak in Samoa?

The official languages in Samoa are English and Samoan. In Somalia, the official languages are Arabic and Somali.

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At a Glance

SO WS
Population 12,386,248 206,179
Currency Somali Shilling (SOS) Samoan Tala (WST)
Languages Arabic, Somali English, Samoan
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +252 +685
Time zones 1 1