Moving to Liberia from South Africa

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from South Africa to Liberia — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from South Africa to Liberia. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from South Africa to Liberia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ZA
45.5
LR
3.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZA
24.5
LR
15.3

Liberia performs significantly better than South Africa across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ZA
$1,354
LR
$233
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZA
8.1
LR
1.8

South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Liberia 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

ZA
47.0
LR
60.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZA
6.9t
LR
0.2t

South Africa generally does better on environment, though Liberia leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

ZA
3.3
LR
0.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZA
66.9%
LR
0.3%

South Africa generally does better on infrastructure, though Liberia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ZA
28.0%
LR
2.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZA
$14,300
LR
$1,600

South Africa generally does better on employment & economy, though Liberia leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ZA
65.3 yrs
LR
65.5 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZA
25.9
LR
44.6

South Africa generally does better on family life, though Liberia leads in life expectancy.

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

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

South Africa passport

South Africa passport holder visiting Liberia

Visa Required
South Africa passport holders need a visa to enter Liberia.
Liberia passport

Liberia passport holder visiting South Africa

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Liberia passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to South Africa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Liberia?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Liberia has 0.3 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Liberia safe for expats?

Liberia performs significantly better than South Africa across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Liberia is 3.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 45.5 in South Africa.

How is healthcare in Liberia compared to South Africa?

South Africa generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Liberia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.8 doctors per 10,000 people in Liberia, compared to 8.1 in South Africa. Liberia scores 45 on the WHO universal health coverage index (South Africa: 71).

What language do they speak in Liberia?

The official language in Liberia is English. In South Africa, the official languages are Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zulu.

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At a Glance

ZA LR
Population 57,516,665 5,358,483
Currency South African Rand (ZAR) Liberian Dollar (LRD)
Languages Afrikaans, English, Northern Sotho, Southern Ndebele, Southern Sotho, Swazi, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zulu English
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +27 +231
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 10111