Flag of Eritrea
Africa 3.6M people Capital: Asmara Currency: Eritrean nakfa (Nfk) Language: Arabic, English, Tigrinya Time: UTC+03:00

Moving to EritreaShare

It hosts a vibrant and diverse expat community, notably drawing a significant number of residents from Somalia.

Lifestyle & Vibe

Eritrea is one of the world's most isolated and repressive states - often described as "Africa's North Korea" - and is completely unsuitable for remote workers or international relocation. Internet access is among the lowest in the world by penetration rate, social media platforms are largely inaccessible, and any meaningful digital work is functionally impossible. The government controls all movement and communication, mandatory indefinite military conscription applies to residents, and foreign nationals face significant surveillance and bureaucratic restriction. This is not a lifestyle destination by any standard; most international governments advise against all but essential travel.

Unbiased Relocation & Lifestyle Assessment

Digital Freedom & Remote Work

Censorship and network interference data is currently being collected for Eritrea.

Society & Demographics

Eritrea exhibits a balanced gender ratio with slightly more females than males, making up 50.63% of the population. Urbanization stands at 34.54%, reflecting a predominantly rural society with only about one-third of the population residing in cities. The country has seen negative net migration over the past five years, indicating an outflow of its citizens, possibly driven by economic or political reasons.

Gender Distribution

Male 49.4%
Female 50.6%

Connectivity

14.3 %

Internet Users

🏆 Top: 100.0% (Bahrain)

Language

-- / 800

EF English Proficiency

🏆 Top: 624 (Netherlands)

Inequality

-- / 100

GINI Index (Lower = more equal)

🏆 Top: 23.8 (Slovakia)

Equality

-- %

Women in Parliament

🏆 Top: 63.8% (Rwanda)

Aging Society

4.3 %

Population over 65 years old

Urbanization

34.5 %

People living in cities

🏆 Top: 100.0% (Bahrain)

Migration

-6,698

Net Migration (5-yr total)

🏆 Top: +1,702,358 (Ukraine)

Education Spending

5.5% of GDP

UNESCO Data. Indicates focus on public schooling.

🏆 Top: 31.9% (Mauritania)
Insights based on World Bank and UNESCO Data

Quality of Life

The quality of life in Eritrea is marked by a life expectancy of 63.5700 years, reflecting challenges in healthcare access and overall well-being. With just 0.8900 medical doctors per 10k people and an Universal Health Coverage Index of 40.0000, accessing quality medical care remains a significant hurdle for the population. Additionally, the country faces issues with air quality, as indicated by an average PM2.5 level of 32.3500 µg/m³, which can impact respiratory health. Despite these challenges, Eritrea's homicide rate of 15.6100 per 100k suggests a relatively low level of violent crime, contributing to some aspects of public safety.

Life Expectancy
63.6 yrs
🏆 Top: 84.5 yrs (Japan)
Care Access
0.9 / 10k
🏆 Top: 86.1 (Monaco)
Health Coverage
40.0 / 100

Universal Health Coverage Index

🏆 Top: 92.0 (Canada)
Obesity Rate
4.3 %
🏆 Top: 2.4% (Vietnam)
Paid Annual Leave
12 days
🏆 Top: 31 days (Andorra)
Air Quality
33.7 µg/m³
🏆 Top: 1.6 µg/m³ (Greenland)

Safety - Homicides

15.6per 100k

World Bank Crime Data. Lower is safer.

🏆 Top: 0.1 (Qatar)
Insights based on World Happiness Report, ILOSTAT, Wikipedia, and World Bank Data.

Economic Freedom & Business Climate

The economic landscape of Eritrea presents a complex picture. With an Economic Freedom Score of 39.6000 out of 100, the country faces significant challenges in fostering a robust business climate. Key indicators such as Property Rights at 4.8000 and Financial Freedom at just 20.0000 underscore the constraints faced by businesses and investors. While sectors like Monetary Freedom and Trade Freedom show some potential with scores of 80.0000 and 68.4000 respectively, the overall environment remains constrained by high tax burdens and limited investment freedom.

GDP per Capita (PPP)

1,742.3USD

Adjusts for purchasing power parity.

🏆 Top: $163,354 (Singapore)

Inflation Rate

--%

Annual CPI. Indicates recent price stability.

🏆 Optimal (2%): 2.0% (Saint Lucia)

Unemployment

6.0%

ILO Estimate. Indicates job market health.

🏆 Top: 0.1% (Qatar)
Overall Economic Freedom
39.6 / 100
🏆 Top: 89.1 (Hong Kong)
Property Rights
4.8 / 100
🏆 Top: 99.9 (Denmark)
Judicial Effectiveness
5.5 / 100
🏆 Top: 99.1 (Luxembourg)
Government Integrity
10.9 / 100
🏆 Top: 98.0 (Denmark)
Tax Burden Score
80.3 / 100
🏆 Top: 99.9 (Bahrain)
Government Spending
62.3 / 100
🏆 Top: 98.7 (Haiti)
Fiscal Health
69.0 / 100
🏆 Top: 99.9 (Kuwait)
Business Freedom
30.7 / 100
🏆 Top: 92.3 (Australia)
Labor Freedom
43.4 / 100
🏆 Top: 81.6 (Austria)
Monetary Freedom
80.0 / 100
🏆 Top: 88.8 (Bahrain)
Trade Freedom
68.4 / 100
🏆 Top: 95.0 (Singapore)
Investment Freedom
0.0 / 100
🏆 Top: 95.0 (Luxembourg)
Financial Freedom
20.0 / 100
🏆 Top: 80.0 (Australia)

Evaluated across 12 quantitative factors. Scores span 0-100, where higher scores indicate greater economic liberty, lighter tax burdens, and stronger property rights.

Insights based on Heritage Foundation, World Bank, & ILO Data

Climate Profile (Asmara)

Eritrea has a tropical desert climate, characterized by scorching hot temperatures and low humidity, with the mercury soaring to its peak during the summer months of June and July, while the rainiest periods occur from July to August, with an average of 29 and 28 rainy days respectively. The months of July and August are best avoided due to the intense rainfall, whereas the periods from September to November and March to May offer a more pleasant climate, with mild temperatures and fewer rainy days, making them the ideal seasons to relocate or visit for a comfortable and enjoyable experience. For expats and digital nomads seeking to escape the extreme weather conditions, the spring season, from March to May, is highly recommended, as it offers a perfect blend of warm weather and minimal rainfall, creating an ideal atmosphere for exploration and outdoor activities.

Jan
20 °C
min 9°5 rain days338h sun
Feb
22 °C
min 11°7 rain days307h sun
Mar
23 °C
min 12°6 rain days347h sun
Apr
23 °C
min 13°13 rain days350h sun
May
24 °C
min 14°9 rain days368h sun
Jun
25 °C
min 15°5 rain days361h sun
Jul
22 °C
min 14°18 rain days308h sun
Aug
21 °C
min 14°20 rain days284h sun
Sep
23 °C
min 13°4 rain days337h sun
Oct
21 °C
min 12°8 rain days352h sun
Nov
20 °C
min 10°10 rain days326h sun
Dec
19 °C
min 9°6 rain days335h sun
Powered by Open-Meteo Data

Political Stability & Governance

For an expat or digital nomad considering Eritrea, the political stability and safety from violence are concerning, with a persistent score of -1.73 on the political stability index, suggesting frequent conflicts and unrest. The rule of law and control of corruption remain significant challenges, with scores around -1.80 and -1.63 respectively, indicating weak judicial systems and endemic corruption. While these factors may cast a shadow over peace of mind and business operations, Eritrea's unique culture and potential for growth could offer opportunities that outweigh the governance risks for those willing to navigate them carefully.
Stability & Violence
-0.71
🏆 Top: +1.58 (Liechtenstein)
Rule of Law
-1.80
🏆 Top: +2.02 (Finland)
Control of Corruption
-1.63
🏆 Top: +2.29 (Denmark)

Evaluated across Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI). Scores span approximately -2.5 to 2.5, where higher scores indicate stronger governance, better stability, and lower corruption.

Insights based on World Bank Data

Relocation Guides & Articles

We're currently working on an in-depth expat guide for Eritrea.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is Eritrea safe?

The homicide rate in Eritrea is 15.6 per 100,000 people (World Bank).