Moving to Somalia from Timor-Leste

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Timor-Leste to Somalia? Here's how the two countries compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Timor-Leste to Somalia, and you’d need to navigate life in Arabic and Somali. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Somalia compared to Timor-Leste.

Is it safe?

Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TL
12.0
SO
20.2

Timor-Leste performs better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

TL
$461
SO
$52
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

affects wait times and access to care

TL
7.7
SO
0.2

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Somalia 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

TL
61.0
SO
64.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TL
0.5t
SO
0.0t

Timor-Leste generally does better on environment, though Somalia 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

TL
0.0
SO
0.7
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

TL
28.3%
SO
24.5%

Somalia performs significantly better than Timor-Leste across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

TL
1.5%
SO
19.0%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TL
$4,600
SO
$1,500

Timor-Leste performs better than Somalia across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

TL
69.9 yrs
SO
55.7 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TL
33.7
SO
86.5

Timor-Leste performs better than Somalia across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Timor-Leste passport

Timor-Leste passport holder visiting Somalia

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Timor-Leste passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Somalia.
Somalia passport

Somalia passport holder visiting Timor-Leste

Visa on Arrival
Somalia passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Timor-Leste.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Somalia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Somalia: 0.7 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Somalia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Somalia safe for expats?

Timor-Leste performs better than Somalia across all safety metrics.

How is healthcare in Somalia compared to Timor-Leste?

Timor-Leste generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Somalia leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.2 doctors per 10,000 people in Somalia, compared to 7.7 in Timor-Leste. Somalia scores 27 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Timor-Leste: 52).

What language do they speak in Somalia?

The official languages in Somalia are Arabic and Somali. In Timor-Leste, the official languages are Portuguese and Tetum.

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At a Glance

TL SO
Population 1,445,006 12,386,248
Currency United States Dollar ($) Somali Shilling (SOS)
Languages Portuguese, Tetum Arabic, Somali
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +670 +252
Time zones 1 1