Moving to Zambia from Thailand

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What to Expect

Everything you need to know before relocating from Thailand to Zambia — costs, safety, healthcare, and practical first steps.

If you moved from Thailand to Zambia, and you’d need to navigate life in English. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lusaka averages 80°F vs 91°F in Bangkok, making it significantly cooler.

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Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from Thailand to Zambia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2015

per 100,000 people per year

TH
4.8
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TH
25.4
ZM
17.1

Thailand generally does better on safety, though Zambia leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

TH
$1,067
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

TH
9.3
ZM
2.6

Thailand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia 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

TH
29.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TH
4.0t
ZM
0.5t

Thailand generally does better on environment, though Zambia 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

TH
17.5
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

TH
23.0%
ZM
2.8%

Thailand generally does better on infrastructure, though Zambia leads in water stress level.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

TH
0.9%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TH
$21,100
ZM
$3,700

Thailand performs better than Zambia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

TH
77.7 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TH
6.5
ZM
37.1

Thailand generally does better on family life, though Zambia leads in education spending.

Data: The Revenue Department, Government of Thailand, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Bangkok Rain: 59.0 in/yr (1498 mm)
91° / 75°F

Avg. annual high / low

Lusaka Rain: 31.4 in/yr (798 mm)
80° / 59°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Bangkok Lusaka
Jan–Mar 91°/74°F (33°/23°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 93°/78°F (34°/26°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 90°/77°F (32°/25°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 89°/73°F (32°/23°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month Bangkok Lusaka
Jan 90°/70°F (32.0°/21.0°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 91°/74°F (32.7°/23.3°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 93°/77°F (33.7°/24.9°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 95°/79°F (34.9°/26.1°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 93°/78°F (34.0°/25.6°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 92°/78°F (33.1°/25.4°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 91°/77°F (32.7°/25.0°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 90°/77°F (32.5°/24.9°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 90°/76°F (32.3°/24.6°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 90°/76°F (32.0°/24.3°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.1°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 88°/69°F (31.3°/20.8°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Thai Meteorological Department Thai Meteorological Department, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Thailand passport

Thailand passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa on Arrival
Thailand passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Zambia.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Thailand

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Zambia?

Internet is rarely the blocker — Zambia has 0.4 fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 people. The real questions are legal: digital nomad visa eligibility, your employer's overseas-work policy, and tax residency in both countries.

Is Zambia safe for expats?

Thailand generally does better on safety, though Zambia leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 4.8 in Thailand.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to Thailand?

Thailand generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zambia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 9.3 in Thailand. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Thailand: 82).

What's the weather like in Zambia compared to Thailand?

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 91°F in Bangkok. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while Bangkok gets 59.0 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

The official language in Zambia is English. In Thailand, the official language is Thai.

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At a Glance

TH ZM
Population 69,648,117 19,642,123
Currency Thai Baht (THB) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages Thai English
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +66 +260
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 191