Moving to Senegal from Suriname

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Suriname to Senegal, and you’d need to navigate life in French. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Dakar averages 82°F vs 92°F in Paramaribo, making it significantly cooler.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Senegal compared to Suriname.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

SR
16.2
SN
20.8

Suriname performs better than Senegal across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

SR
$1,143
SN
$206
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

SR
14.8
SN
1.3

Senegal generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Suriname 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

SR
39.0
SN
65.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

SR
4.1t
SN
0.8t

Suriname generally does better on environment, though Senegal 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
SN
1.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

SR
4.0%
SN
16.3%

Suriname performs better than Senegal 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%
SN
2.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

SR
$19,000
SN
$4,400

Suriname generally does better on employment & economy, though Senegal 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
SN
70.0 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

SR
30.2
SN
32.4

Suriname generally does better on family life, though Senegal leads in education spending.

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

Dakar Rain: 14.9 in/yr (379 mm)
82° / 71°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Paramaribo Dakar
Jan–Mar 89°/71°F (32°/22°C) 77°/64°F (25°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 91°/73°F (33°/23°C) 79°/70°F (26°/21°C)
Jul–Sep 93°/73°F (34°/23°C) 86°/77°F (30°/25°C)
Oct–Dec 94°/73°F (34°/23°C) 85°/73°F (29°/23°C)
View all months
Month Paramaribo Dakar
Jan 89°/71°F (31.8°/21.6°C) 77°/64°F (24.9°/17.9°C)
Feb 88°/71°F (31.3°/21.6°C) 77°/64°F (24.8°/17.8°C)
Mar 90°/71°F (32.1°/21.8°C) 77°/65°F (25.1°/18.3°C)
Apr 91°/73°F (32.6°/22.6°C) 76°/66°F (24.7°/19.1°C)
May 91°/73°F (32.9°/22.7°C) 79°/69°F (25.9°/20.6°C)
Jun 92°/72°F (33.2°/22.5°C) 83°/74°F (28.5°/23.5°C)
Jul 92°/72°F (33.5°/22.5°C) 86°/77°F (29.9°/25.0°C)
Aug 93°/73°F (34.1°/22.7°C) 86°/77°F (30.2°/25.2°C)
Sep 94°/73°F (34.7°/22.9°C) 87°/77°F (30.6°/25.0°C)
Oct 95°/73°F (35.1°/22.9°C) 88°/77°F (30.9°/25.2°C)
Nov 94°/73°F (34.3°/22.6°C) 85°/74°F (29.7°/23.2°C)
Dec 92°/72°F (33.4°/22.5°C) 81°/69°F (27.2°/20.5°C)

Data: Meteorological Service Meteorological Service, Agence nationale de l'Aviation Civile et de la Météorologie (ANACIM) Agence nationale de l'Aviation Civile et de la Météorologie (ANACIM)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Suriname passport

Suriname passport holder visiting Senegal

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

Senegal passport holder visiting Suriname

Visa Free
Senegal 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 Senegal?

Connectivity is usually fine (Senegal: 1.4 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Senegal offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Senegal safe for expats?

Suriname performs better than Senegal across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Senegal compared to Suriname?

Senegal generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Suriname leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 1.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Senegal, compared to 14.8 in Suriname. Senegal scores 50 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Suriname: 63).

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

The average high temperature in Dakar is 82°F, compared to 92°F in Paramaribo. Dakar receives around 14.9 in of rainfall per year, while Paramaribo gets 84.6 in.

What language do they speak in Senegal?

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

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At a Glance

SR SN
Population 632,638 17,923,036
Currency Surinamese Dollar (SRD) CFA Franc BCEAO (F CFA)
Languages Dutch French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +597 +221
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 17