Moving to Namibia from Switzerland

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Switzerland to Namibia, and you’d need to navigate life in Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga and Tswana. You’ll also switch from driving on the right to the left. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Windhoek averages 80°F vs 55°F in Zurich, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Switzerland to Namibia.

Living there in 2020
446 ↑ 7% vs 2015

people born in Switzerland live in Namibia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Namibia?

Top countries of origin for Namibia's foreign-born residents.

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Namibia compared to Switzerland.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate World Bank, 2023

per 100,000 people per year

CH
0.6
NA
11.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

CH
2.4
NA
22.0

Switzerland performs better than Namibia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

CH
$10,602
NA
$1,068
Doctors per 10,000 people World Bank, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

CH
44.8
NA
5.5

Switzerland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Namibia 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

CH
10.0
NA
43.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

CH
3.8t
NA
1.2t

Switzerland generally does better on environment, though Namibia 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
NA
2.8
Water stress level World Bank, 2022

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

CH
6.5%
NA
0.3%

Switzerland generally does better on infrastructure, though Namibia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate World Bank, 2025

percentage of the labour force without work

CH
4.9%
NA
19.3%
GDP per capita World Bank, 2025

a broad measure of economic output per person

CH
$114,769
NA
$4,876

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

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy World Bank, 2024

average years of life at birth

CH
84.4 yrs
NA
67.5 yrs
Infant mortality World Bank, 2024

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

CH
3.4
NA
36.4

Switzerland generally does better on family life, though Namibia leads in education spending.

See full quality of life comparison

Sources: World Bank (2015–2025), United Nations SDG Indicators (2019–2021), World Health Organization (2024), Swiss Federal Tax Administration (2016), Inland Revenue Department (2016). How we calculate this

Weather in Namibia vs Switzerland

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Windhoek Rain: 14.5 in/yr (368 mm)
80° / 55°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Zurich Windhoek
Jan–Mar 41°/30°F (5°/-1°C) 84°/63°F (29°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 62°/45°F (17°/7°C) 74°/50°F (23°/10°C)
Jul–Sep 70°/53°F (21°/12°C) 76°/49°F (24°/9°C)
Oct–Dec 46°/36°F (8°/2°C) 87°/61°F (30°/16°C)
View all months
Month Zurich Windhoek
Jan 36°/27°F (2.0°/-2.8°C) 87°/64°F (30.3°/17.7°C)
Feb 40°/29°F (4.2°/-1.9°C) 84°/63°F (28.7°/17.0°C)
Mar 47°/33°F (8.3°/0.6°C) 81°/61°F (27.4°/15.9°C)
Apr 55°/39°F (12.6°/3.7°C) 78°/55°F (25.8°/12.9°C)
May 63°/46°F (17.3°/7.7°C) 74°/50°F (23.4°/9.8°C)
Jun 69°/51°F (20.5°/10.8°C) 69°/44°F (20.7°/6.9°C)
Jul 73°/55°F (23.0°/12.8°C) 70°/44°F (21.2°/6.9°C)
Aug 72°/54°F (22.0°/12.4°C) 75°/48°F (23.8°/8.9°C)
Sep 66°/50°F (18.8°/10.0°C) 82°/54°F (27.5°/12.4°C)
Oct 56°/43°F (13.3°/6.2°C) 85°/58°F (29.3°/14.7°C)
Nov 44°/35°F (6.9°/1.4°C) 86°/61°F (30.2°/16.2°C)
Dec 37°/29°F (2.9°/-1.7°C) 89°/63°F (31.4°/17.2°C)

Data: MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss - Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology, Namibia Meteorological Service Namibia Meteorological Service

Can you move from Switzerland to Namibia?

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

Switzerland passport

Switzerland passport holder visiting Namibia

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

Namibia passport holder visiting Switzerland

Visa Required
Namibia 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 Namibia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Namibia: 2.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Namibia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Namibia safe for expats?

Switzerland performs better than Namibia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Namibia is 11.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 0.6 in Switzerland.

How is healthcare in Namibia compared to Switzerland?

Switzerland generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Namibia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 5.5 doctors per 10,000 people in Namibia, compared to 44.8 in Switzerland. Namibia scores 63 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Switzerland: 86).

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

The average high temperature in Windhoek is 80°F, compared to 55°F in Zurich. Windhoek receives around 14.5 in of rainfall per year, while Zurich gets 42.8 in.

What language do they speak in Namibia?

The official languages in Namibia are Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga and Tswana. In Switzerland, the official languages are French, Italian, Romansh and Swiss German.

Compare further: Switzerland vs. Namibia

Quality of Life Comparison · 24 statistics
Be 4.0 times more likely to be unemployed in Namibia
→
Cost of Living Comparison · 7 categories - 2026 data
Namibia is 66.1% cheaper than Switzerland overall
→
Size Comparison · See true size
Switzerland is about 20 times smaller than Namibia.
→
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At a Glance

CH NA
Population 9,092,436 3,092,816
Currency Swiss Franc (CHF) Namibian Dollar (NAD)
Languages French, Italian, Romansh, Swiss German Afrikaans, English, German, Herero, Khoekhoe, Kwangali, Lozi, Ndonga, Tswana
Driving side Right Left
Calling code +41 +264
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112 10111