Moving to Zambia from United Kingdom

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from United Kingdom to Zambia. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Lusaka averages 80°F vs 60°F in London, making it significantly warmer.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

How many people actually move from United Kingdom to Zambia, based on official data.

Living there in 2020
1,584 ↑ 40% vs 2015

people born in United Kingdom live in Zambia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Zambia?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

Key indicators for anyone considering a move from United Kingdom to Zambia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2020

per 100,000 people per year

GB
1.0
ZM
5.2
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

GB
2.4
ZM
17.1

United Kingdom performs better than Zambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

GB
$6,606
ZM
$244
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

GB
31.7
ZM
2.6

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom 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

GB
13.0
ZM
50.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

GB
4.2t
ZM
0.5t

United Kingdom 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

GB
41.4
ZM
0.4
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

GB
14.3%
ZM
2.8%

United Kingdom 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

GB
4.1%
ZM
5.9%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

GB
$54,100
ZM
$3,700

United Kingdom generally does better on employment & economy, though Zambia leads in top income tax rate.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

GB
81.9 yrs
ZM
66.3 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

GB
3.8
ZM
37.1

United Kingdom performs better than Zambia across all family life metrics.

Data: HM Revenue & Customs, The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

London Rain: 22.0 in/yr (558 mm)
60° / 46°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months London Lusaka
Jan–Mar 49°/38°F (9°/3°C) 80°/62°F (27°/17°C)
Apr–Jun 64°/48°F (18°/9°C) 77°/55°F (25°/13°C)
Jul–Sep 72°/56°F (22°/13°C) 79°/55°F (26°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 53°/43°F (12°/6°C) 85°/64°F (29°/18°C)
View all months
Month London Lusaka
Jan 47°/38°F (8.1°/3.1°C) 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C)
Feb 47°/37°F (8.6°/2.7°C) 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C)
Mar 53°/40°F (11.6°/4.6°C) 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C)
Apr 58°/43°F (14.6°/5.9°C) 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C)
May 65°/48°F (18.1°/8.9°C) 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C)
Jun 70°/53°F (21.0°/11.8°C) 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C)
Jul 74°/57°F (23.4°/13.7°C) 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C)
Aug 74°/57°F (23.1°/13.8°C) 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C)
Sep 68°/53°F (20.0°/11.4°C) 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C)
Oct 60°/48°F (15.5°/8.8°C) 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C)
Nov 52°/42°F (11.3°/5.8°C) 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C)
Dec 47°/38°F (8.4°/3.4°C) 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C)

Data: Met Office Met Office, Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD)

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between United Kingdom 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.

United Kingdom passport

United Kingdom passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Free
United Kingdom passport holders can enter Zambia without a visa.
Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting United Kingdom

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

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?

United Kingdom performs better than Zambia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Zambia is 5.2 per 100,000 people, compared to 1.0 in United Kingdom.

How is healthcare in Zambia compared to United Kingdom?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though United Kingdom leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 2.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Zambia, compared to 31.7 in United Kingdom. Zambia scores 56 on the WHO universal health coverage index (United Kingdom: 88).

What's the weather like in Zambia compared to United Kingdom?

The average high temperature in Lusaka is 80°F, compared to 60°F in London. Lusaka receives around 31.4 in of rainfall per year, while London gets 22.0 in.

What language do they speak in Zambia?

Both United Kingdom and Zambia share the same official language: English.

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At a Glance

GB ZM
Population 67,791,400 19,642,123
Currency British Pound Sterling (£) Zambian Kwacha (ZMW)
Languages English English
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +44 +260
Time zones 9 1
Emergency number 999