Moving to Madagascar from Switzerland

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Switzerland to Madagascar. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Antananarivo averages 76°F vs 55°F in Zurich, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Madagascar compared to Switzerland.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CH
2.4
MG
22.5

Switzerland performs better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

CH
$10,602
MG
$63
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CH
44.8
MG
1.7

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Switzerland 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

CH
10.0
MG
58.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CH
3.8t
MG
0.1t

Switzerland generally does better on environment, though Madagascar leads in co₂ emissions per capita.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people World Bank, 2024

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

CH
47.0
MG
0.1
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CH
6.5%
MG
11.3%

Switzerland performs better than Madagascar across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

CH
4.9%
MG
3.0%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

CH
$114,769
MG
$599

Switzerland generally does better on employment & economy, though Madagascar leads in unemployment rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

CH
84.4 yrs
MG
63.8 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CH
3.4
MG
43.0

Switzerland performs better than Madagascar across all family life metrics.

Sources: World Bank (2021–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), Swiss Federal Tax Administration (2016), General Direction of Taxes (2016). How we calculate this

Weather in Madagascar vs Switzerland

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Zurich Rain: 42.8 in/yr (1086 mm)
55° / 41°F

Avg. annual high / low

Antananarivo Rain: 47.2 in/yr (1198 mm)
76° / 58°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Zurich Antananarivo
Jan–Mar 41°/30°F (5°/-1°C) 79°/63°F (26°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 62°/45°F (17°/7°C) 75°/57°F (24°/14°C)
Jul–Sep 70°/53°F (21°/12°C) 72°/52°F (22°/11°C)
Oct–Dec 46°/36°F (8°/2°C) 79°/60°F (26°/16°C)
View all months
Month Zurich Antananarivo
Jan 36°/27°F (2.0°/-2.8°C) 80°/63°F (26.4°/17.3°C)
Feb 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.9°C) 79°/63°F (26.3°/17.4°C)
Mar 47°/33°F (8.3°/0.6°C) 79°/63°F (26.2°/17.0°C)
Apr 55°/39°F (12.6°/3.7°C) 78°/60°F (25.4°/15.8°C)
May 63°/46°F (17.3°/7.7°C) 75°/57°F (23.7°/13.8°C)
Jun 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.8°C) 71°/53°F (21.4°/11.5°C)
Jul 73°/55°F (23.0°/12.8°C) 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.5°C)
Aug 72°/54°F (22.0°/12.4°C) 71°/52°F (21.4°/10.9°C)
Sep 66°/50°F (18.8°/10.0°C) 75°/54°F (23.7°/12.1°C)
Oct 56°/43°F (13.3°/6.2°C) 78°/57°F (25.7°/14.1°C)
Nov 44°/35°F (6.9°/1.4°C) 80°/60°F (26.9°/15.7°C)
Dec 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.7°C) 80°/62°F (26.8°/16.9°C)

Data: MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, Direction Générale de la Météorologie Direction Générale de la Météorologie

Can you move from Switzerland to Madagascar?

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

Switzerland passport

Switzerland passport holder visiting Madagascar

Visa on Arrival
Switzerland passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Madagascar.
Madagascar passport

Madagascar passport holder visiting Switzerland

Visa Required
Madagascar passport holders need a visa to enter Switzerland.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Madagascar?

Connectivity is usually fine (Madagascar: 0.1 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Madagascar offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Madagascar safe for expats?

Switzerland performs better than Madagascar across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Madagascar compared to Switzerland?

Madagascar generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Switzerland leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 1.7 doctors per 10,000 people in Madagascar, compared to 44.8 in Switzerland. Madagascar scores 35 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Switzerland: 86).

What's the weather like in Madagascar compared to Switzerland?

The average high temperature in Antananarivo is 76°F, compared to 55°F in Zurich. Antananarivo receives around 47.2 in of rainfall per year, while Zurich gets 42.8 in.

What language do they speak in Madagascar?

The official languages in Madagascar are French and Malagasy. In Switzerland, the official languages are French, Italian, Romansh and Swiss German.

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At a Glance

CH MG
Population 9,092,436 32,740,678
Currency Swiss Franc (CHF) Malagasy Ariary (MGA)
Languages French, Italian, Romansh, Swiss German French, Malagasy
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +41 +261
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 —