Moving to Russia from Zambia

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What to Expect

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

If you moved from Zambia to Russia, and you’d need to navigate life in Russian. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Moscow averages 48°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 Russia.

Living there in 2020
469

people born in Zambia live in Russia · UN DESA

Who's moving to Russia?

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

Foreign-born population · UN DESA (2020)

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Russia compared to Zambia.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
5.2
RU
6.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZM
17.1
RU
10.6

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

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ZM
$244
RU
$3,204
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZM
2.6
RU
38.3

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Russia 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
RU
39.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZM
0.5t
RU
14.0t

Zambia generally does better on environment, though Russia 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
RU
24.8
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZM
2.8%
RU
4.1%

Russia 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%
RU
3.3%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZM
$3,700
RU
$39,800

Russia 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
RU
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZM
37.1
RU
6.4

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

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

Moscow Rain: 27.2 in/yr (691 mm)
48° / 34°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Lusaka Moscow
Jan–Mar 80°/62°F (27°/17°C) 27°/15°F (-3°/-10°C)
Apr–Jun 77°/55°F (25°/13°C) 62°/45°F (17°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 79°/55°F (26°/13°C) 68°/52°F (20°/11°C)
Oct–Dec 85°/64°F (29°/18°C) 36°/26°F (2°/-3°C)
View all months
Month Lusaka Moscow
Jan 80°/63°F (26.6°/17.1°C) 21°/10°F (-6.3°/-12.3°C)
Feb 80°/62°F (26.5°/16.8°C) 24°/12°F (-4.2°/-11.1°C)
Mar 81°/62°F (27.0°/16.6°C) 35°/22°F (1.5°/-5.6°C)
Apr 80°/59°F (26.5°/15.1°C) 51°/35°F (10.4°/1.7°C)
May 78°/55°F (25.3°/12.7°C) 65°/46°F (18.4°/7.6°C)
Jun 74°/51°F (23.4°/10.6°C) 71°/53°F (21.7°/11.5°C)
Jul 73°/50°F (23.0°/10.2°C) 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.5°C)
Aug 79°/54°F (25.9°/12.3°C) 71°/54°F (21.5°/12.0°C)
Sep 85°/60°F (29.4°/15.3°C) 60°/45°F (15.4°/7.1°C)
Oct 87°/64°F (30.8°/17.5°C) 47°/36°F (8.2°/2.1°C)
Nov 86°/64°F (29.9°/17.9°C) 34°/26°F (1.1°/-3.3°C)
Dec 81°/63°F (27.2°/17.3°C) 26°/17°F (-3.5°/-8.6°C)

Data: Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD) Zambia Meteorological Department (ZMD), Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring Russian Federal Service for Hydrometeorology and Environmental Monitoring

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Zambia passport

Zambia passport holder visiting Russia

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

Russia passport holder visiting Zambia

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Russia?

Connectivity is usually fine (Russia: 24.8 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Russia offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Russia safe for expats?

Zambia generally does better on safety, though Russia leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Russia is 6.8 per 100,000 people, compared to 5.2 in Zambia.

How is healthcare in Russia compared to Zambia?

Zambia generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Russia leads in doctors per 10,000 people. There are 38.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Russia, compared to 2.6 in Zambia. Russia scores 79 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zambia: 56).

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

The average high temperature in Moscow is 48°F, compared to 80°F in Lusaka. Moscow receives around 27.2 in of rainfall per year, while Lusaka gets 31.4 in.

What language do they speak in Russia?

The official language in Russia is Russian. In Zambia, the official language is English.

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At a Glance

ZM RU
Population 19,642,123 142,021,981
Currency Zambian Kwacha (ZMW) Russian Ruble (RUB)
Languages English Russian
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +260 +7
Time zones 1 9
Emergency number 112