Moving to Benin from Suriname

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Suriname to Benin, and you’d need to navigate life in French. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Benin compared to Suriname.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SR
16.2
BJ
24.8

Suriname performs better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SR
$1,143
BJ
$138
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

SR
14.8
BJ
2.0

Suriname generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin 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

SR
39.0
BJ
77.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SR
4.1t
BJ
0.5t

Suriname generally does better on environment, though Benin 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

SR
20.2
BJ
0.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SR
4.0%
BJ
1.0%

Suriname generally does better on infrastructure, though Benin leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SR
7.7%
BJ
1.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SR
$19,000
BJ
$3,800

Suriname generally does better on employment & economy, though Benin leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SR
72.4 yrs
BJ
62.2 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SR
30.2
BJ
55.8

Suriname performs better than Benin 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.

Paramaribo Rain: 84.6 in/yr (2148 mm)
92° / 72°F

Avg. annual high / low

Porto-novo Rain: 47.0 in/yr (1194 mm)
None° / None°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Paramaribo Porto-novo
Jan–Mar 89°/71°F (32°/22°C)
Apr–Jun 91°/73°F (33°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 93°/73°F (34°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 94°/73°F (34°/23°C)
View all months
Month Paramaribo Porto-novo
Jan 89°/71°F (31.8°/21.6°C)
Feb 88°/71°F (31.3°/21.6°C)
Mar 90°/71°F (32.1°/21.8°C)
Apr 91°/73°F (32.6°/22.6°C)
May 91°/73°F (32.9°/22.7°C)
Jun 92°/72°F (33.2°/22.5°C)
Jul 92°/72°F (33.5°/22.5°C)
Aug 93°/73°F (34.1°/22.7°C)
Sep 94°/73°F (34.7°/22.9°C)
Oct 95°/73°F (35.1°/22.9°C)
Nov 94°/73°F (34.3°/22.6°C)
Dec 92°/72°F (33.4°/22.5°C)

Data: Meteorological Service Meteorological Service, Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN) Agence Nationale de la Meteorologie (METEO BENIN)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Suriname passport

Suriname passport holder visiting Benin

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

Benin passport holder visiting Suriname

Visa Free
Benin passport holders can enter Suriname without a visa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Benin?

Connectivity is usually fine (Benin: 0.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Benin offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Benin safe for expats?

Suriname performs better than Benin across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Benin compared to Suriname?

Suriname generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Benin leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 2.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Benin, compared to 14.8 in Suriname. Benin scores 38 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Suriname: 63).

What's the weather like in Benin compared to Suriname?

The average high temperature in Porto-novo is None°F, compared to 92°F in Paramaribo. Porto-novo receives around 47.0 in of rainfall per year, while Paramaribo gets 84.6 in.

What language do they speak in Benin?

The official language in Benin is French. In Suriname, the official language is Dutch.

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At a Glance

SR BJ
Population 632,638 13,754,688
Currency Surinamese Dollar (SRD) CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA)
Languages Dutch French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +597 +229
Time zones 1 1