World · permanent entity record · RW

Rwanda

Thirty-second orientation

Rwanda at a glance

Capital: Kigali; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 14,569,341; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 26,338 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Rwandan(s); adjective: Rwandan; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1%, English (official) <0.1%, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <0.1%, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Rwanda through time

1962-09-18
Admitted to the United Nations
Rwanda became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	14,569,341World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 13,623,302 (2024 est.) male: 6,684,655 female: 6,938,647CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-12
Languages	Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1%, English (official) <0.1%, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <0.1%, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.)CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04	Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) major-language sample(s): Inkoranya nzimbuzi y'isi, isoko fatizo y'amakuru y'ibanze. (Kinyarwanda) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-12

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $16.4 billion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $1,124; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 68.0 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 30.9%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 72.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 31.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Kigali; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 26,338 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 14,569,341; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: Rwandan francs (RWF); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) <0.1%, English (official) <0.1%, Swahili/Kiswahili (official, used in commercial centers) <0.1%, more than one language, other 6.3%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Rwandan(s); adjective: Rwandan; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1962-09-18; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Africa.”
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Catholic 39.9%, Pentecostal 21.3%, Protestant 14.6%, Adventist 12.2%, other Christians 4.2%, no religion 3.0%, Muslim 2.0%, other religions 2.0%; less than 1%: Jehovah Witness, not specified, Animist (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: blue, yellow, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: traditional woven basket with peaked lid; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Volcan Karisimbi · 14,826 ft (4,519 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Rusizi River · 3,117 ft (950 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-12Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Not a member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-12 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Rwanda -- a small and centralized country dominated by rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil -- has exerted disproportionate influence over the African Great Lakes region for centuries. A Rwandan kingdom increasingly dominated the region from the mid-18th century onward, with the Tutsi monarchs gradually extending the power of the royal court into peripheral areas and expanding their borders through military conquest. While the current ethnic labels Hutu and Tutsi predate colonial rule, their flexibility and importance have varied significantly over time and often manifested more as a hierarchical class distinction than an ethnic or cultural distinction. The majority Hutu and minority Tutsi have long shared a common language and culture, and intermarriage was frequent. The Rwandan royal court centered on the Tutsi king (mwami), who relied on an extensive network of political, cultural, and economic relationships. Social categories became more rigid during the reign of RWABUGIRI (1860-1895), who focused on aggressive expansion and solidifying Rwanda’s bureaucratic structures. German colonial conquest began in the late 1890s, but the territory was ceded to Belgian forces in 1916 during World War I. Both European nations quickly realized the benefits of ruling through the already centralized Rwandan Tutsi kingdom. Colonial rule reinforced existing trends toward autocratic and exclusionary rule, leading to the elimination of traditional positions of authority for Hutus. Belgian administrators significantly increased requirements for communal labor and instituted harsh taxes, which fed the population's frustration. Changing political attitudes in Belgium contributed to colonial and Catholic officials shifting their support from Tutsi to Hutu leaders in the years leading up to independence. Simmering resentment of minority rule exploded in 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, when Hutus overthrew the Tutsi king. Thousands of Tutsis were killed over the next several years, and some 150,000 were driven into exile in neighboring countries. Army Chief of Staff Juvenal HABYARIMANA seized power in a coup in 1973 and ruled Rwanda as a single-party state for two decades. HABYARIMANA increasingly discriminated against Tutsis, and extremist Hutu factions gained prominence after multiple parties were introduced in the early 1990s. The children of Tutsi exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF) and began a civil war in 1990. The civil war exacerbated ethnic tensions and culminated in the shooting down of HABYARIMANA’s private jet in 1994. The event sparked a state-orchestrated genocide in which Rwandans killed more than 800,000 of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later the same year when the predominantly Tutsi RPF, operating out of Uganda and northern Rwanda, defeated the national army and Hutu militias and established an RPF-led government of national unity. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003, formalizing President Paul KAGAME’s de facto role as head of government. KAGAME was formally elected in 2010, and again in 2017 after changing the constitution to allow him to run for a third term.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Geography20 fields

Location: Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Geographic coordinates: 2 00 S, 30 00 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Map references: Africa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Area: total : 26,338 sq km land: 24,668 sq km water: 1,670 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Area - comparative: slightly smaller than Maryland; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Land boundaries: total: 930 km border countries (4): Burundi 315 km; Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km; Tanzania 222 km; Uganda 172 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Coastline: 0 km (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Maritime claims: none (landlocked); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Terrain: mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Elevation: highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m mean elevation: 1,598 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Natural resources: gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 76.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 47% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 15.6% (2023 est.) forest: 24.5% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Irrigated land: 96 sq km (2012); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Major lakes (area sq km): fresh water lake(s): Lake Kivu (shared with Democratic Republic of Congo) - 2,220 sq km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Major rivers (by length in km): Nile river source (shared with Tanzania, Uganda, South Sudan, Sudan, and Egypt [m]) - 6,650 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Congo (3,730,881 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Nile (3,254,853 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Population distribution: one of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Natural hazards: periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga Mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo volcanism: Visoke (3,711 m), on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Geography - note: landlocked; most of the country is intensively cultivated and rugged, with the population predominantly rural; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

People and Society36 fields

Population: total: 13,623,302 (2024 est.) male: 6,684,655 female: 6,938,647; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Nationality: noun: Rwandan(s) adjective: Rwandan; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Ethnic groups: Hutu, Tutsi, Twa; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Languages: Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official) major-language sample(s): Inkoranya nzimbuzi y'isi, isoko fatizo y'amakuru y'ibanze. (Kinyarwanda) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Religions: Catholic 39.9%, Pentecostal 21.3%, Protestant 14.6%, Adventist 12.2%, other Christians 4.2%, no religion 3.0%, Muslim 2.0%, other religions 2.0%; less than 1%: Jehovah Witness, not specified, Animist (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 37.2% (male 2,561,884/female 2,508,218) 15-64 years: 59.7% (male 3,954,608/female 4,179,844) 65 years and over: 3.1% (2024 est.) (male 168,163/female 250,585); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 67.5 (2024 est.) youth dependency ratio: 62.3 (2024 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 5.1 (2024 est.) potential support ratio: 19.4 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Median age: total: 21.3 years (2025 est.) male: 20.1 years female: 21.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Population growth rate: 2% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Birth rate: 25.05 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Death rate: 4.87 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Net migration rate: -0.13 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Population distribution: one of Africa's most densely populated countries; large concentrations tend to be in the central regions and along the shore of Lake Kivu in the west, as shown in this population distribution map; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 17.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Major urban areas - population: 1.248 million KIGALI (capital) (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.95 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.67 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 23 years (2019/20 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 229 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 27.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 27.3 deaths/1,000 live births female: 22.5 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 66.6 years (2024 est.) male: 64.6 years female: 68.6 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Total fertility rate: 3.2 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 1.58 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Drinking water source: urban: 88.1% of population (2022 est.) rural: 60.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 65.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 11.9% of population (2022 est.) rural: 39.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 34.9% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Health expenditure: 7.3% of GDP (2021) 9.5% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Physician density: 0.09 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Hospital bed density: 0.7 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 91.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 87% of population (2022 est.) total: 87.8% of population (2022 est.) urban: 8.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 13% of population (2022 est.) total: 12.2% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 5.8% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 6.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.23 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.03 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.09 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 6 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Tobacco use: total: 11.4% (2025 est.) male: 17% (2025 est.) female: 6.3% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Children under the age of 5 years underweight: 7.7% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 49.9% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Child marriage: women married by age 15: 0.3% (2020) women married by age 18: 5.5% (2020) men married by age 18: 0.4% (2020); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Education expenditure: 4.7% of GDP (2024 est.) 13.9% national budget (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Literacy: total population: 78.8% (2022 est.) male: 81% (2022 est.) female: 76.7% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 13 years (2023 est.) male: 13 years (2023 est.) female: 13 years (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Environment10 fields

Environmental issues: deforestation; overgrazing; land degradation; soil erosion; a decline in soil fertility (soil exhaustion); wetland degradation and loss of biodiversity; widespread poaching; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands signed, but not ratified: Law of the Sea; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Climate: temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 76.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 47% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 13.7% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 15.6% (2023 est.) forest: 24.5% (2023 est.) other: 0% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 17.9% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.07% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 1.645 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 226,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 1.295 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 124,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 35.7 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 4.385 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 11.5% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 230 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 10 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 361 million cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Total renewable water resources: 13.3 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Government25 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda conventional short form: Rwanda local long form: Republika y'u Rwanda local short form: Rwanda former: Kingdom of Rwanda, Ruanda, German East Africa etymology: the country is named for a local people, but the meaning of their own name is obscure; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Government type: presidential republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Capital: name: Kigali geographic coordinates: 1 57 S, 30 03 E time difference: UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the city takes its name from nearby Mount Kigali; the name is composed of the Bantu prefix ki- and the Rwandan word gali, meaning "broad," which is probably meant to describe the terrain; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Administrative divisions: 4 provinces (provinces, singular - province (French); intara for singular and plural (Kinyarwanda)) and 1 city* (ville (French); umujyi (Kinyarwanda)); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Legal system: mixed system of civil law, based on German and Belgian models, and customary law; Supreme Court reviews legislative acts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Constitution: history: several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003 amendment process: proposed by the president of the republic (with Council of Ministers approval) or by two-thirds majority vote of both houses of Parliament; passage requires at least three-quarters majority vote in both houses; changes to constitutional articles on national sovereignty, the presidential term, the form and system of government, and political pluralism also require approval in a referendum; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
International law organization participation: has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen dual citizenship recognized: no residency requirement for naturalization: 10 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Justin NSENGIYUMVA (since 23 July 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president election/appointment process: president directly elected by simple-majority popular vote for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president most recent election date: 4 August 2017 election results: 2024: Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 99.2%, Frank HABINEZA (DGPR) 0.5%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.3% 2017: Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent), other 1.2% expected date of next election: 15 July 2029 note: a constitutional amendment in 2016 reduced the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but included an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parlement (Parliament) legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Chambre des Députés) number of seats: 80 (53 directly elected; 27 indirectly elected) electoral system: proportional representation scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 7/15/2024 to 7/16/2024 parties elected and seats per party: Rwandan Patriotic Front (FPR) and its allies (37); Liberal Party (PL) (5); Social Democratic Party (PSD) (5); Other (6) percentage of women in chamber: 63.8% expected date of next election: July 2029 note: 24 women are selected for seats by special-interest groups, and 3 members are selected by youth and disability organizations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Senate (Sénat) number of seats: 26 (18 indirectly elected; 8 appointed) scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 9/16/2024 to 9/16/2024 percentage of women in chamber: 53.8% expected date of next election: September 2029; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 5 judges; normally organized into 3-judge panels); High Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and a minimum of 24 judges and organized into 5 chambers) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges nominated by the president after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (SCJ), a 27-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals, and approved by the Senate; chief and deputy chief justices appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of judges NA; High Court president and vice president appointed by the president of the republic upon approval by the Senate; judges appointed by the Supreme Court chief justice upon approval of the SCJ; judge tenure NA subordinate courts: High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; and military specialized courts; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Political parties: Democratic Green Party of Rwanda or DGPR Liberal Party or PL Party for Progress and Concord or PPC Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition (includes RPF, PPC, PSP, UDPR, PDI, PSR, PDC) Social Democratic Party or PSD Social Party Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 18 July 2013) chancery: 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 telephone: [1] (202) 232-2882 FAX: [1] (202) 232-4544 email address and website: info@rwandaembassy.org https://rwandaembassy.org/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Eric KNEEDLER (since 3 October 2023) embassy: 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie (Kaciyiru), P. O. Box 28 Kigali mailing address: 2210 Kigali Place, Washington DC 20521-2210 telephone: [250] 252 596-400 FAX: [250] 252 580-325 email address and website: consularkigali@state.gov https://rw.usembassy.gov/; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
International organization participation: ACP, AfDB, AU, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNOOSA, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Independence: 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
National holiday: Independence Day, 1 July (1962); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Flag: description: three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double-width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays on the right end of the blue band meaning: blue stands for happiness and peace, yellow for economic development and mineral wealth, and green for hope for prosperity and natural resources; the sun symbolizes unity and enlightenment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
National symbol(s): traditional woven basket with peaked lid; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
National color(s): blue, yellow, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country) lyrics/music: Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA history: adopted 2001; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 2 (1 cultural, 1 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Memorial sites of the Genocide: Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero (c); Nyungwe National Park (n); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Economy31 fields

Economic overview: low-income Sub-Saharan economy; services, industry, and agriculture sectors driving growth; increased government spending on human capital, energy, and healthcare; major infrastructure projects including the Bugesera Airport intended to support long-term growth; challenges include lack of economic diversification, high inflation, and wide current account deficit; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $46.543 billion (2024 est.) $42.743 billion (2023 est.) $39.485 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 8.9% (2024 est.) 8.2% (2023 est.) 8.2% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Real GDP per capita: $3,300 (2024 est.) $3,100 (2023 est.) $2,900 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $14.252 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1.8% (2024 est.) 19.8% (2023 est.) 17.7% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 24.6% (2024 est.) industry: 21% (2024 est.) services: 47.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 64.9% (2024 est.) government consumption: 17.1% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 29.1% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: -3.2% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 30.8% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -39.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Agricultural products: bananas, cassava, sweet potatoes, plantains, potatoes, maize, beans, pumpkins/squash, taro, sorghum (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Industries: cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 10% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Labor force: 5.671 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Unemployment rate: 12% (2024 est.) 12.4% (2023 est.) 15.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 17.5% (2024 est.) male: 15.8% (2024 est.) female: 19.4% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Population below poverty line: 38.2% (2016 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 43.7 (2016 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.4% (2016 est.) highest 10%: 35.6% (2016 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Remittances: 3.6% of GDP (2023 est.) 3.6% of GDP (2022 est.) 3.5% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Budget: revenues: $3.41 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $3.996 billion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Public debt: 37.3% of GDP (2016 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 13.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Current account balance: -$1.654 billion (2023 est.) -$1.246 billion (2022 est.) -$1.209 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Exports: $3.509 billion (2023 est.) $2.993 billion (2022 est.) $2.11 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Exports - partners: UAE 66%, China 10%, USA 3%, Kenya 3%, Thailand 2% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Exports - commodities: gold, rare earth ores, coffee, tea, tin ores (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Imports: $5.783 billion (2023 est.) $4.978 billion (2022 est.) $3.856 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Imports - partners: China 19%, Kenya 14%, Uganda 13%, Tanzania 9%, UAE 7% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Imports - commodities: broadcasting equipment, fish, corn, packaged medicine, plastic products (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $2.406 billion (2024 est.) $1.834 billion (2023 est.) $1.726 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Debt - external: $5.531 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Exchange rates: Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar - 1,318.128 (2024 est.) 1,160.099 (2023 est.) 1,030.308 (2022 est.) 988.625 (2021 est.) 943.278 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Energy7 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 50.6% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 98% electrification - rural areas: 38.2%; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 294,000 kW (2023 est.) consumption: 876.401 million kWh (2023 est.) exports: 8.674 million kWh (2023 est.) imports: 32 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 197.606 million kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 43.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 3.4% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 52.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Coal: consumption: 123,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 89,000 metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Petroleum: refined petroleum consumption: 9,000 bbl/day (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Natural gas: production: 63.666 million cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 63.696 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 56.634 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 1.808 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 8,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 12.8 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 80 (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Broadcast media: 13 TV stations; 35 radio stations, including international broadcasters; government owns most popular TV and radio stations; regional satellite-based TV available; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Internet country code: .rw; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 34% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 62,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2023 est.) less than 1; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Transportation2 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: 9XR; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Airports: 8 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: Rwanda Defense Force (RDF; Ingabo z’u Rwanda): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR), Rwanda Reserve Force, Special Units Ministry of Internal Security: Rwanda National Police (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Military expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.4% of GDP (2021 est.) 1.3% of GDP (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 30-35,000 active Rwanda Defense Forces (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the RDF's inventory is a mix of older and some modern equipment from suppliers such as China, France, Israel, Russia/former Soviet Union, South Africa, and Türkiye (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Military service age and obligation: typically 18-30 years of age for men and women for voluntary military service (including officer candidates and those with university degrees and specialized qualifications); enlistment is either as contract (5-years, renewable twice) or career professional; no conscription (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Military deployments: approximately 3,200 Central African Republic (about 2,200 under MINUSCA, plus some 700 police; approximately 1,000 under a bi-lateral agreement); estimated 3-4,000 Democratic Republic of the Congo; estimated 3,000 Mozambique (bilateral agreement to assist with combating an insurgency; includes both military and police forces); 2,600 (plus about 450 police) South Sudan (UNMISS) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Military - note: the principle responsibilities of the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) are ensuring territorial integrity and national sovereignty and preventing infiltrations of illegal armed groups from neighboring countries, particularly the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC); since 2021, Rwanda has deployed RDF troops to the border region with the DRC to combat the rebel Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), which it has accused the DRC of backing; Rwanda has been accused by the DRC, the UN, and the US of deploying RDF troops in the DRC and providing material support to the March 23 Movement (M23, aka Congolese Revolutionary Army) rebel group; the RDF also participates in UN and regional military operations, as well as multinational exercises; it has deployed several thousand RDF troops and police personnel to Mozambique to assist in combating an insurgency since 2021; Rwanda has mutual defense treaties with Kenya and Uganda the Rwandan Armed Forces (FAR) were established following independence in 1962; after the 1990-1994 civil war and genocide, the victorious Tutsi-dominated Rwandan Patriotic Front's military wing, the Rwandan Patriotic Army (RPA), became the country's military force; the RPA participated in the First (1996-1997) and Second (1998-2003) Congolese Wars; the RPA was renamed the Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) in 2003, by which time it had assumed a more national character with the inclusion of many former Hutu officers as well as newly recruited soldiers (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Space3 fields

Space agency/agencies: Rwanda Space Agency (L’Agence Spatiale Rwandaise; RSA; established 2020 and approved by legislature in 2021) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Space program overview: has a small program focused on developing space technologies, such as satellite communications and imagery for connectivity, disaster management, security, and socioeconomic development; operates communications and remote sensing (RS) satellites; has established ties with the space agencies or industries of several countries, including France, Israel, Japan, Poland, the UAE, and the US, as well as members of the African Space Agency; seeks to establish itself as an African hub for satellite production and has encouraged development of a domestic commercial space sector (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Key space-program milestones: 2018 - signed cooperation agreement with Japan for training in designing and producing mini-satellites 2019 - first remote sensing (RS) nanosatellite (RWASAT-1) built with assistance from and launched by Japan; first commercial communications satellite (Icyerekezo) built and launched by France 2022 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space exploration 2025 - joined newly formed African Space Agency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

Transnational Issues2 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 128,561 (2024 est.) IDPs: 21,948 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 14,500 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source
Trafficking in persons: tier rating: Tier 2 Watch List — the government did not demonstrate overall increasing efforts to eliminate trafficking compared with the previous reporting period, therefore Rwanda remained on Tier 2 Watch List for the second consecutive year; for more details, go to: https://www.state.gov/reports/2025-trafficking-in-persons-report/rwanda; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-12 · source

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Rwanda at a glance

Rwanda through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile