Moving to Canada from Zambia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Zambia to Canada. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ottawa averages 52°F vs 80°F in Lusaka, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

What the data shows about people moving from Zambia to Canada.

Moved in 2023
90 ↑ 6% vs 2022

people moved from Zambia to Canada · OECD (latest data available)

Who's moving to Canada?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Canada compared to Zambia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
5.2
CA
2.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
17.1
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Zambia across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

ZM
$244
CA
$7,646
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZM
2.6
CA
25.0

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada 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

ZM
50.0
CA
8.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZM
0.5t
CA
14.0t

Zambia generally does better on environment, though Canada leads in air pollution deaths.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

ZM
0.4
CA
42.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZM
2.8%
CA
3.7%

Canada 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

ZM
5.9%
CA
5.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZM
$3,700
CA
$55,800

Canada performs significantly 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

ZM
66.3 yrs
CA
83.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZM
37.1
CA
4.4

Canada performs significantly better than Zambia across all family life metrics.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank, Zambia Revenue Authority

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

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

Avg. annual high / low

Ottawa Rain: 37.1 in/yr (943 mm)
52° / 34°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Lusaka Ottawa
Jan–Mar 80°/62°F (27°/17°C) 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/55°F (25°/13°C) 64°/45°F (18°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/55°F (26°/13°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/64°F (29°/18°C) 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C)
View all months
Month Lusaka Ottawa
Jan 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C) 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C)
Feb 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C) 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C)
Mar 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C) 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C)
Apr 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C) 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C)
May 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C) 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C)
Jun 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C) 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C)
Jul 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C) 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C)
Aug 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C) 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C)
Sep 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C) 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C)
Oct 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C) 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C)
Nov 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C) 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C)
Dec 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C) 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C)

Data: Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD), Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Canada

Visa Required
Zambia passport holders need a visa to enter Canada.
Canada passport

Canada passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Free
Canada passport holders can enter Zambia without a visa.

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Canada?

Connectivity is usually fine (Canada: 42.6 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Canada offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Canada safe for expats?

Canada performs significantly better than Zambia across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Canada is 2.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.2 in Zambia.

How is healthcare in Canada compared to Zambia?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Canada leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 25.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Canada, compared to 2.6 in Zambia. Canada scores 91 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zambia: 56).

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

The average high temperature in Ottawa is 52°F, compared to 80°F in Lusaka. Ottawa receives around 37.1 in of rainfall per year, while Lusaka gets 31.4 in.

What language do they speak in Canada?

The official languages in Canada are English and French. In Zambia, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

ZM CA
Population 19,642,123 38,232,593
Currency Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Languages English English, French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +260 +1
Time zones 1 6
Emergency number 911