Moving to Cook Islands from South Africa
What to Expect
Considering a move from South Africa to Cook Islands? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.
If you moved from South Africa to Cook Islands.
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Key Indicator Comparison
The numbers behind daily life in Cook Islands compared to South Africa.
Is it safe?
per 100,000 people per year
per 100,000 people per year
Cook Islands performs significantly better than South Africa across all safety metrics.
How's the healthcare?
affects wait times and access to care
WHO index from 0–100 measuring essential service access
South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Cook Islands leads in doctors per 10,000 people.
Will I have good infrastructure?
fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work
Cook Islands performs significantly better than South Africa across all infrastructure metrics.
What are the job prospects?
percentage of the labour force without work
a broad measure of economic output per person
Cook Islands performs significantly better than South Africa across all employment & economy metrics.
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
Cook Islands generally does better on family life, though South Africa leads in education spending.
Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators
Visitor Visa Requirements
Short-stay tourist visa rules between South Africa and Cook Islands. To live, work, or study long-term in Cook Islands, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Cook Islands's immigration authority.
South Africa passport holder visiting Cook Islands
Visa FreeData: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work remotely from Cook Islands?
Connectivity is usually fine (Cook Islands: 18.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Cook Islands offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?
Is Cook Islands safe for expats?
Cook Islands performs significantly better than South Africa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Cook Islands is 3.5 per 100,000 people, compared to 45.5 in South Africa.
How is healthcare in Cook Islands compared to South Africa?
South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Cook Islands leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 13.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Cook Islands, compared to 8.1 in South Africa. Cook Islands scores 46 on the WHO universal health coverage index (South Africa: 71).
What language do they speak in Cook Islands?
The official languages in Cook Islands are Cook Islands Māori and English. In South Africa, the official languages are Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.
Compare further: South Africa vs. Cook Islands
At a Glance
ZA
|
CK
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population | 57,516,665 | 8,128 |
| Currency | South African Rand (ZAR) | New Zealand Dollar (NZ$) |
| Languages | Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu | Cook Islands Māori, English |
| Driving side | Left | Left |
| Calling code | +27 | +682 |
| Time zones | 1 | 1 |
| Emergency number | 10111 | — |