Moving from Pakistan
Pakistan vs 
South Africa
Photo: Camps Bay and the Twelve Apostles, Cape Town · Der Berzerker from Washington, DC, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · source
To live as well as on Rs 100,000 a month in Pakistan, you would need about
ZAR 11,170 a month in South Africa (US$672)
Everyday prices in South Africa are about 1.9× Pakistan's.
| In Pakistan | Equivalent in South Africa |
|---|---|
| Rs 50,000 | ZAR 5,590 (US$336) |
| Rs 100,000 | ZAR 11,170 (US$672) |
| Rs 200,000 | ZAR 22,350 (US$1,340) |
| Rs 400,000 | ZAR 44,690 (US$2,690) |
Try your own amount in the cost of living calculator → National averages: rents in the biggest cities are usually higher.
Side by side
| Pakistan | South Africa | |
|---|---|---|
| Coldest / warmest month (main city) | 20° / 31°C (Karachi) | 10° / 22°C (Johannesburg) |
| Everyday prices (US = 100) | 23 | 43 |
| Income per person a year (PPP $) | 6,600 | 15,900 |
| Unemployment | 5.4% | 32.4% |
| Homicides per 100,000 | 4.3 | 43.7 |
| Political stability (-2.5 to 2.5) | -1.95 | -0.38 |
| Life expectancy | 67.8 years | 66.3 years |
| Fine-particle pollution (µg/m³) | 58 | 28 |
| Languages (editorial) | Urdu, English, regional languages | English, Afrikaans, isiZulu, isiXhosa, and others |
Green marks where South Africa does better than Pakistan on that measure. Sources and years are on the country page.
Language and daily life
A diverse country with a sunny climate, two oceans, Cape Town's mountains and Johannesburg's business economy, and high crime rates. Editorial
English is an official language, so English-speaking Pakistanis can work and study without learning a new language.
Visas for Pakistanis
- Visiting: Pakistani passport holders need an e-visa. All visa-free countries.
- Living there: you need a residence route (work, study, family or investment). Rules change often; check the official site: www.dha.gov.za.
Questions
How much money do I need in South Africa compared with Pakistan?
To live as well as on Rs 100,000 a month in Pakistan, you would need about ZAR 11,170 a month in South Africa (about US$670), based on World Bank price levels and today's exchange rate. Everyday prices in South Africa are about 1.9 times those in Pakistan.
Is South Africa safer than Pakistan?
South Africa records 43.7 intentional homicides per 100,000 people a year, against 4.3 in Pakistan (UNODC via the World Bank). Political stability scores are -0.38 and -1.95 respectively.
Can Pakistanis move to South Africa?
It depends on the route: work, study, family or investment, each with its own rules. Start with the official immigration website (www.dha.gov.za). For a short visit, Pakistani passport holders currently need evisa.
Figures from the World Bank (CC BY 4.0) and NASA POWER, with today's exchange rates. National averages hide differences between cities. Not immigration advice.