Moving to Russia from Zimbabwe

moving to

What to Expect

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

If you moved from Zimbabwe 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 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 Russia.

Living there in 2020
71 ↓ 3% vs 2015

people born in Zimbabwe 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 Zimbabwe.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
6.7
RU
6.8
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

ZW
29.9
RU
10.6

Zimbabwe 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

ZW
$63
RU
$3,204
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

affects wait times and access to care

ZW
1.7
RU
38.3

Zimbabwe 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

ZW
56.0
RU
39.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

ZW
0.8t
RU
14.0t

Zimbabwe 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

ZW
1.3
RU
24.8
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

ZW
46.1%
RU
4.1%

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

a broad measure of economic output per person

ZW
$3,500
RU
$39,800

Russia 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
RU
72.4 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

ZW
28.5
RU
6.4

Russia 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

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

Avg. annual high / low

Months Harare Moscow
Jan–Mar 79°/59°F (26°/15°C) 27°/15°F (-3°/-10°C)
Apr–Jun 75°/49°F (24°/10°C) 62°/45°F (17°/7°C)
Jul–Sep 76°/48°F (25°/9°C) 68°/52°F (20°/11°C)
Oct–Dec 82°/59°F (28°/15°C) 36°/26°F (2°/-3°C)
View all months
Month Harare Moscow
Jan 79°/60°F (26.2°/15.8°C) 21°/10°F (-6.3°/-12.3°C)
Feb 79°/60°F (26.0°/15.7°C) 24°/12°F (-4.2°/-11.1°C)
Mar 79°/58°F (26.2°/14.5°C) 35°/22°F (1.5°/-5.6°C)
Apr 78°/54°F (25.6°/12.5°C) 51°/35°F (10.4°/1.7°C)
May 75°/49°F (23.8°/9.3°C) 65°/46°F (18.4°/7.6°C)
Jun 71°/44°F (21.8°/6.8°C) 71°/53°F (21.7°/11.5°C)
Jul 71°/44°F (21.6°/6.5°C) 74°/56°F (23.1°/13.5°C)
Aug 75°/47°F (24.1°/8.5°C) 71°/54°F (21.5°/12.0°C)
Sep 83°/53°F (28.4°/11.7°C) 60°/45°F (15.4°/7.1°C)
Oct 84°/58°F (28.8°/14.5°C) 47°/36°F (8.2°/2.1°C)
Nov 82°/60°F (27.6°/15.5°C) 34°/26°F (1.1°/-3.3°C)
Dec 79°/60°F (26.3°/15.8°C) 26°/17°F (-3.5°/-8.6°C)

Data: Meteorological Services Department Meteorological Services Department, 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 Zimbabwe 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.

Zimbabwe passport

Zimbabwe passport holder visiting Russia

Visa Online (e-Visa)
Zimbabwe passport holders need to apply for an e-Visa before travelling to Russia.
Russia passport

Russia passport holder visiting Zimbabwe

Visa on Arrival
Russia 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 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?

Zimbabwe 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 6.7 in Zimbabwe.

How is healthcare in Russia compared to Zimbabwe?

Zimbabwe 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 1.7 in Zimbabwe. Russia scores 79 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Zimbabwe: 55).

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

The average high temperature in Moscow is 48°F, compared to 78°F in Harare. Moscow receives around 27.2 in of rainfall per year, while Harare gets 33.1 in.

What language do they speak in Russia?

The official language in Russia is Russian. 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 RU
Population 15,121,004 142,021,981
Currency Zimbabwean Dollar (ZWL) Russian Ruble (RUB)
Languages Chewa, Chibarwe, English, Kalanga, Khoisan, Ndau, Northern Ndebele, Shona, Sotho, Tonga, Tsonga, Tswana, Venda, Xhosa, Zimbabwean Sign Language Russian
Driving side Left Right
Calling code +263 +7
Time zones 1 9
Emergency number 999 112