Moving to Papua New Guinea from Zambia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Zambia to Papua New Guinea.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Papua New Guinea compared to Zambia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2015

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
5.2
PG
9.4
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
17.1
PG
14.9

Zambia generally does better on safety, though Papua New Guinea leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ZM
$244
PG
$133
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZM
2.6
PG
0.6

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Papua New Guinea 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

ZM
50.0
PG
38.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZM
0.5t
PG
0.5t

Zambia generally does better on environment, though Papua New Guinea 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
PG
0.2
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZM
2.8%
PG
0.1%

Papua New Guinea generally does better on infrastructure, though Zambia leads in broadband per 100 people.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ZM
5.9%
PG
2.6%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZM
$3,700
PG
$4,200

Papua New Guinea 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

ZM
66.3 yrs
PG
69.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZM
37.1
PG
33.6

Zambia generally does better on family life, though Papua New Guinea leads in life expectancy.

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

Port Moresby Rain: 35.4 in/yr (899 mm)
88° / 74°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Lusaka Port Moresby
Jan–Mar 80°/62°F (27°/17°C) 89°/74°F (32°/24°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/55°F (25°/13°C) 88°/74°F (31°/23°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/55°F (26°/13°C) 87°/73°F (30°/23°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/64°F (29°/18°C) 90°/74°F (32°/24°C)
View all months
Month Lusaka Port Moresby
Jan 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C) 90°/75°F (32.1°/23.7°C)
Feb 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C) 89°/74°F (31.6°/23.5°C)
Mar 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C) 89°/74°F (31.4°/23.4°C)
Apr 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C) 88°/74°F (31.3°/23.5°C)
May 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C) 88°/74°F (31.0°/23.5°C)
Jun 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C) 87°/74°F (30.3°/23.1°C)
Jul 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C) 86°/72°F (29.9°/22.4°C)
Aug 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C) 87°/73°F (30.3°/22.6°C)
Sep 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C) 88°/74°F (31.0°/23.2°C)
Oct 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C) 90°/74°F (32.0°/23.5°C)
Nov 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C) 90°/74°F (32.5°/23.6°C)
Dec 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C) 90°/75°F (32.4°/23.7°C)

Data: Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD), Papua New Guinea Meteorological Service Papua New Guinea Meteorological Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Papua New Guinea

Visa Required
Zambia passport holders need a visa to enter Papua New Guinea.
Papua New Guinea passport

Papua New Guinea passport holder visiting Zambia

Visa Free
Papua New Guinea 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 Papua New Guinea?

Connectivity is usually fine (Papua New Guinea: 0.2 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Papua New Guinea offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Papua New Guinea safe for expats?

Zambia generally does better on safety, though Papua New Guinea leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Papua New Guinea is 9.4 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.2 in Zambia.

How is healthcare in Papua New Guinea compared to Zambia?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Papua New Guinea leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 0.6 doctors per 10,000 people in Papua New Guinea, compared to 2.6 in Zambia. Papua New Guinea scores 30 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zambia: 56).

What's the weather like in Papua New Guinea compared to Zambia?

The average high temperature in Port Moresby is 88°F, compared to 80°F in Lusaka. Port Moresby receives around 35.4 in of rainfall per year, while Lusaka gets 31.4 in.

What language do they speak in Papua New Guinea?

The official languages in Papua New Guinea are English, Hiri Motu and Tok Pisin. In Zambia, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

ZM PG
Population 19,642,123 9,593,498
Currency Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) Papua New Guinean Kina (PGK)
Languages English English, Hiri Motu, Tok Pisin
Driving side Left Left
Calling code +260 +675
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 000