Moving to Rwanda from Suriname

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Suriname to Rwanda, and you’d need to navigate life in English, French and Kinyarwanda. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Kigali averages 80°F vs 92°F in Paramaribo, making it significantly cooler.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Rwanda compared to Suriname.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

SR
7.3
RW
3.6
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SR
16.2
RW
11.6

Rwanda performs significantly better than Suriname across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SR
$1,143
RW
$177
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

SR
14.8
RW
1.2

Suriname generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Rwanda 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
RW
62.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SR
4.1t
RW
0.2t

Suriname generally does better on environment, though Rwanda 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
RW
0.3
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SR
4.0%
RW
20.2%

Suriname performs better than Rwanda across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

SR
7.7%
RW
14.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SR
$19,000
RW
$3,000

Suriname generally does better on employment & economy, though Rwanda leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

SR
72.4 yrs
RW
65.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SR
30.2
RW
26.4

Suriname generally does better on family life, though Rwanda leads in infant mortality.

Data: Ministry of Finance, 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

Kigali Rain: 37.4 in/yr (951 mm)
80° / 60°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Paramaribo Kigali
Jan–Mar 89°/71°F (32°/22°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
Apr–Jun 91°/73°F (33°/23°C) 79°/61°F (26°/16°C)
Jul–Sep 93°/73°F (34°/23°C) 82°/60°F (28°/16°C)
Oct–Dec 94°/73°F (34°/23°C) 80°/60°F (27°/16°C)
View all months
Month Paramaribo Kigali
Jan 89°/71°F (31.8°/21.6°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.6°C)
Feb 88°/71°F (31.3°/21.6°C) 81°/60°F (27.4°/15.8°C)
Mar 90°/71°F (32.1°/21.8°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C)
Apr 91°/73°F (32.6°/22.6°C) 79°/61°F (26.2°/16.1°C)
May 91°/73°F (32.9°/22.7°C) 79°/61°F (25.9°/16.2°C)
Jun 92°/72°F (33.2°/22.5°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.3°C)
Jul 92°/72°F (33.5°/22.5°C) 81°/59°F (27.1°/15.0°C)
Aug 93°/73°F (34.1°/22.7°C) 82°/61°F (28.0°/16.0°C)
Sep 94°/73°F (34.7°/22.9°C) 83°/61°F (28.2°/16.0°C)
Oct 95°/73°F (35.1°/22.9°C) 81°/61°F (27.2°/15.9°C)
Nov 94°/73°F (34.3°/22.6°C) 79°/60°F (26.1°/15.5°C)
Dec 92°/72°F (33.4°/22.5°C) 80°/60°F (26.4°/15.6°C)

Data: Meteorological Service Meteorological Service, Rwanda Meteorology Agency Rwanda Meteorology Agency

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Suriname passport

Suriname passport holder visiting Rwanda

Visa on Arrival
Suriname passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Rwanda.
Rwanda passport

Rwanda passport holder visiting Suriname

Visa Free
Rwanda 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 Rwanda?

Connectivity is usually fine (Rwanda: 0.3 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Rwanda offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Rwanda safe for expats?

Rwanda performs significantly better than Suriname across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Rwanda is 3.6 per 100,000 people, compared to 7.3 in Suriname.

How is healthcare in Rwanda compared to Suriname?

Suriname generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Rwanda leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 1.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Rwanda, compared to 14.8 in Suriname. Rwanda scores 49 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Suriname: 63).

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

The average high temperature in Kigali is 80°F, compared to 92°F in Paramaribo. Kigali receives around 37.4 in of rainfall per year, while Paramaribo gets 84.6 in.

What language do they speak in Rwanda?

The official languages in Rwanda are English, French and Kinyarwanda. In Suriname, the official language is Dutch.

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At a Glance

SR RW
Population 632,638 13,173,730
Currency Surinamese Dollar (SRD) Rwandan Franc (RWF)
Languages Dutch English, French, Kinyarwanda
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +597 +250
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112