Moving to Canada from Zimbabwe

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Zimbabwe to Canada. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ottawa averages 52°F vs 78°F in Harare, making it significantly cooler.

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Who Else Is Making This Move?

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

Moved in 2023
555 ↓ 8% vs 2022

people moved from Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
6.7
CA
2.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
29.9
CA
4.7

Canada performs significantly better than Zimbabwe across all safety metrics.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2024

annual government + private spending per person

ZW
$63
CA
$7,646
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZW
1.7
CA
25.0

Canada generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe 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

ZW
56.0
CA
8.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZW
0.8t
CA
14.0t

Zimbabwe 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

ZW
1.3
CA
42.6
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZW
46.1%
CA
3.7%

Canada performs significantly better than Zimbabwe across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

ZW
8.8%
CA
5.4%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZW
$3,500
CA
$55,800

Canada performs significantly better than Zimbabwe across all employment & economy metrics.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

ZW
63.3 yrs
CA
83.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZW
28.5
CA
4.4

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

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

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Harare Rain: 33.1 in/yr (841 mm)
78° / 54°F

Avg. annual high / low

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Harare Ottawa
Jan–Mar 79°/59°F (26°/15°C) 27°/10°F (-3°/-12°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/49°F (24°/10°C) 64°/45°F (18°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/48°F (25°/9°C) 75°/55°F (24°/13°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/59°F (28°/15°C) 41°/25°F (5°/-4°C)
View all months
Month Harare Ottawa
Jan 79°/60°F (26.2°/15.8°C) 21°/4°F (-6.1°/-15.3°C)
Feb 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.7°C) 25°/8°F (-4.1°/-13.3°C)
Mar 79°/58°F (26.2°/14.5°C) 36°/19°F (2.2°/-7.1°C)
Apr 78°/54°F (25.6°/12.5°C) 51°/33°F (10.8°/0.6°C)
May 75°/49°F (23.8°/9.3°C) 66°/46°F (19.1°/7.7°C)
Jun 71°/44°F (21.8°/6.8°C) 75°/55°F (23.8°/12.7°C)
Jul 71°/44°F (21.6°/6.5°C) 80°/60°F (26.5°/15.4°C)
Aug 75°/47°F (24.1°/8.5°C) 77°/57°F (24.9°/14.1°C)
Sep 83°/53°F (28.4°/11.7°C) 67°/48°F (19.5°/9.1°C)
Oct 84°/58°F (28.8°/14.5°C) 54°/37°F (12.5°/3.0°C)
Nov 82°/60°F (27.6°/15.5°C) 41°/27°F (4.8°/-2.8°C)
Dec 79°/60°F (26.3°/15.8°C) 27°/12°F (-3.0°/-11.1°C)

Data: Meteorological Services Department Meteorological Services Department, Meteorological Service of Canada Meteorological Service of Canada

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Zimbabwe 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.

Zimbabwe passport

Zimbabwe passport holder visiting Canada

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

Canada passport holder visiting Zimbabwe

Visa on Arrival
Canada passport holders can obtain a visa on arrival in Zimbabwe.

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 Zimbabwe across all safety metrics. The homicide rate in Canada is 2.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.7 in Zimbabwe.

How is healthcare in Canada compared to Zimbabwe?

Canada generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 25.0 doctors per 10,000 people in Canada, compared to 1.7 in Zimbabwe. Canada scores 91 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zimbabwe: 55).

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

The average high temperature in Ottawa is 52°F, compared to 78°F in Harare. Ottawa receives around 37.1 in of rainfall per year, while Harare gets 33.1 in.

What language do they speak in Canada?

The official languages in Canada are English and French. In Zimbabwe, the official languages are Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa and Zimbabwean Sign Language.

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At a Glance

ZW CA
Population 15,121,004 38,232,593
Currency Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL) Canadian Dollar (CA$)
Languages Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language English, French
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +263 +1
Time zones 1 6
Emergency number 999 911