Moving to Panama from Zimbabwe

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Zimbabwe to Panama, and you’d need to navigate life in Spanish. You’ll also switch from driving on the left to the right. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Panama City averages 93°F vs 78°F in Harare, making it significantly warmer.

Planning this move? Get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes from vetted international movers. Get free quotes ↓

Get free moving quotes to Panama

We've teamed up with a vetted network of international movers to help MyLifeElsewhere readers plan their move with confidence. Tell us about your move and get up to 5 free, no-obligation quotes in under 2 minutes.

  • ✅ Up to 5 quotes from screened movers
  • ✅ Licensed and insured providers only
  • ✅ 100% free — you choose who contacts you

Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Panama compared to Zimbabwe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
6.7
PA
11.3
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
29.9
PA
7.3

Zimbabwe generally does better on safety, though Panama leads in road traffic deaths.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

ZW
$63
PA
$3,318
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZW
1.7
PA
17.3

Panama 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
PA
17.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZW
0.8t
PA
2.7t

Zimbabwe generally does better on environment, though Panama 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
PA
15.5
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZW
46.1%
PA
0.9%

Panama 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%
PA
6.7%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZW
$3,500
PA
$35,800

Panama 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
PA
77.6 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZW
28.5
PA
16.4

Panama 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

Panama City Rain: 75.1 in/yr (1907 mm)
93° / 68°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Harare Panama City
Jan–Mar 79°/59°F (26°/15°C) 94°/65°F (34°/18°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/49°F (24°/10°C) 94°/69°F (35°/21°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/48°F (25°/9°C) 92°/70°F (34°/21°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/59°F (28°/15°C) 91°/68°F (33°/20°C)
View all months
Month Harare Panama City
Jan 79°/60°F (26.2°/15.8°C) 92°/65°F (33.4°/18.5°C)
Feb 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.7°C) 94°/65°F (34.2°/18.4°C)
Mar 79°/58°F (26.2°/14.5°C) 95°/65°F (34.8°/18.4°C)
Apr 78°/54°F (25.6°/12.5°C) 96°/67°F (35.4°/19.5°C)
May 75°/49°F (23.8°/9.3°C) 94°/70°F (34.5°/21.1°C)
Jun 71°/44°F (21.8°/6.8°C) 93°/70°F (33.8°/21.3°C)
Jul 71°/44°F (21.6°/6.5°C) 93°/70°F (33.9°/21.0°C)
Aug 75°/47°F (24.1°/8.5°C) 93°/70°F (33.9°/20.9°C)
Sep 83°/53°F (28.4°/11.7°C) 91°/70°F (32.9°/21.0°C)
Oct 84°/58°F (28.8°/14.5°C) 91°/69°F (32.6°/20.8°C)
Nov 82°/60°F (27.6°/15.5°C) 91°/69°F (32.9°/20.3°C)
Dec 79°/60°F (26.3°/15.8°C) 92°/67°F (33.3°/19.2°C)

Data: Meteorological Services Department Meteorological Services Department, IMHPA - Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá IMHPA - Instituto de Meteorología e Hidrología de Panamá

Visitor Visa Requirements

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

Zimbabwe passport

Zimbabwe passport holder visiting Panama

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

Panama passport holder visiting Zimbabwe

Visa on Arrival
Panama 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 Panama?

Connectivity is usually fine (Panama: 15.5 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Panama offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Panama safe for expats?

Zimbabwe generally does better on safety, though Panama leads in road traffic deaths. The homicide rate in Panama is 11.3 per 100,000 people, compared to 6.7 in Zimbabwe.

How is healthcare in Panama compared to Zimbabwe?

Panama generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Zimbabwe leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 17.3 doctors per 10,000 people in Panama, compared to 1.7 in Zimbabwe. Panama scores 78 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zimbabwe: 55).

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

The average high temperature in Panama City is 93°F, compared to 78°F in Harare. Panama City receives around 75.1 in of rainfall per year, while Harare gets 33.1 in.

What language do they speak in Panama?

The official language in Panama is Spanish. 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.

Share this

At a Glance

ZW PA
Population 15,121,004 4,337,768
Currency Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL) Panamanian Balboa (PAB)
Languages Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language Spanish
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +263 +507
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 999 911