2011 Edition

Background

In 1959, three years before independence from Belgium, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi king. Over the next several years, thousands of Tutsis were killed, and some 150,000 driven into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in 1990. The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exacerbated ethnic tensions, culminating in April 1994 in a state-orchestrated genocide, in which Rwandans killed up to a million of their fellow citizens, including approximately three-quarters of the Tutsi population. The genocide ended later that 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. Approximately 2 million Hutu refugees - many fearing Tutsi retribution - fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire. Since then, most of the refugees have returned to Rwanda, but several thousand remained in the neighboring Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC; the former Zaire) and formed an extremist insurgency bent on retaking Rwanda, much as the RPF tried in 1990. Rwanda held its first local elections in 1999 and its first post-genocide presidential and legislative elections in 2003. Rwanda in 2009 staged a joint military operation with the Congolese Army in DRC to rout out the Hutu extremist insurgency there and Kigali and Kinshasa restored diplomatic relations. Rwanda also joined the Commonwealth in late 2009.

Area

26,338 sq km 24,668 sq km 1,670 sq km

total

26,338 sq km

water

1,670 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly smaller than Maryland

Climate

temperate; two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January); mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

Coastline

0 km (landlocked)

Elevation extremes

Rusizi River 950 m Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

highest point

Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

lowest point

Rusizi River 950 m

Environment - current issues

deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching

Environment - international agreements

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands Law of the Sea

party to

Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Law of the Sea

Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural)

0.15 cu km/yr (24%/8%/68%) 17 cu m/yr (2000)

per capita

17 cu m/yr (2000)

total

0.15 cu km/yr (24%/8%/68%)

Geographic coordinates

2 00 S, 30 00 E

Geography - note

landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural

Irrigated land

90 sq km (2008)

Land boundaries

893 km Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

border countries

Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

total

893 km

Land use

45.56% 10.25% 44.19% (2005)

arable land

45.56%

other

44.19% (2005)

permanent crops

10.25%

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Map references

Africa

Maritime claims

none (landlocked)

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo Visoke (elev. 3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano

volcanism

Visoke (elev. 3,711 m), located on the border with the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is the country's only historically active volcano

Natural resources

gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower, arable land

Terrain

mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east

Total renewable water resources

5.2 cu km (2003)

Age structure

42.9% (male 2,454,924/female 2,418,504) 54.7% (male 3,097,956/female 3,123,910) 2.4% (male 110,218/female 164,913) (2011 est.)

0-14 years

42.9% (male 2,454,924/female 2,418,504)

15-64 years

54.7% (male 3,097,956/female 3,123,910)

65 years and over

2.4% (male 110,218/female 164,913) (2011 est.)

Birth rate

36.74 births/1,000 population (2011 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

18% (2005)

Death rate

9.88 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.)

Drinking water source

urban: 77% of population rural: 62% of population total: 65% of population urban: 23% of population rural: 38% of population total: 35% of population (2008)

rural

38% of population

total

35% of population (2008)

urban

23% of population

Education expenditures

4.1% of GDP (2008)

Ethnic groups

Hutu (Bantu) 84%, Tutsi (Hamitic) 15%, Twa (Pygmy) 1%

Health expenditures

9% of GDP (2009)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

2.9% (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

4,100 (2009 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

170,000 (2009 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

64.04 deaths/1,000 live births 67.64 deaths/1,000 live births 60.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

female

60.32 deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.)

total

64.04 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular), French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili, used in commercial centers)

Life expectancy at birth

58.02 years 56.57 years 59.52 years (2011 est.)

female

59.52 years (2011 est.)

total population

58.02 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 70.4% 76.3% 64.7% (2003 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

64.7% (2003 est.)

male

76.3%

total population

70.4%

Major cities - population

KIGALI (capital) 909,000 (2009)

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria rabies (2009)

animal contact disease

rabies (2009)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne disease

malaria

Maternal mortality rate

540 deaths/100,000 live births (2008)

Median age

18.7 years 18.5 years 19 years (2011 est.)

female

19 years (2011 est.)

male

18.5 years

total

18.7 years

Nationality

Rwandan(s) Rwandan

adjective

Rwandan

noun

Rwandan(s)

Net migration rate

1.06 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.)

People - note

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa

Physicians density

0.024 physicians/1,000 population (2005)

Population

11,370,425 (July 2011 est.) estimates for this country explicitly take into account the effects of excess mortality due to AIDS; this can result in lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality, higher death rates, lower population growth rates, and changes in the distribution of population by age and sex than would otherwise be expected

Population growth rate

2.792% (2011 est.)

Religions

Roman Catholic 56.5%, Protestant 26%, Adventist 11.1%, Muslim 4.6%, indigenous beliefs 0.1%, none 1.7% (2001)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 50% of population rural: 55% of population total: 54% of population urban: 50% of population rural: 45% of population total: 46% of population (2008)

rural

45% of population

total

46% of population (2008)

urban

50% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2009)

female

11 years (2009)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.67 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

15-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.67 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

0.99 male(s)/female (2011 est.)

under 15 years

1.01 male(s)/female

Total fertility rate

4.9 children born/woman (2011 est.)

Urbanization

19% of total population (2010) 4.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

4.4% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

19% of total population (2010)

Administrative divisions

4 provinces (in French - provinces, singular - province; in Kinyarwanda - intara for singular and plural) and 1 city* (in French - ville; in Kinyarwanda - umujyi); Est (Eastern), Kigali*, Nord (Northern), Ouest (Western), Sud (Southern)

Capital

Kigali 1 57 S, 30 04 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

geographic coordinates

1 57 S, 30 04 E

name

Kigali

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC during Standard Time)

Constitution

new constitution passed by referendum 26 May 2003

Country name

Republic of Rwanda Rwanda Republika y'u Rwanda Rwanda Ruanda, German East Africa

conventional long form

Republic of Rwanda

conventional short form

Rwanda

former

Ruanda, German East Africa

local long form

Republika y'u Rwanda

local short form

Rwanda

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Donald W. KORAN 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali B. P. 28, Kigali [250] 596-400 [250] 596-591

chief of mission

Ambassador Donald W. KORAN

embassy

2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali

FAX

[250] 596-591

mailing address

B. P. 28, Kigali

telephone

[250] 596-400

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador James KIMONYO 1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009 [1] (202) 232-2882 [1] (202) 232-4544

chancery

1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009

chief of mission

Ambassador James KIMONYO

FAX

[1] (202) 232-4544

telephone

[1] (202) 232-2882

Executive branch

President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) Prime Minister Pierre Damien HABUMUREMYI (since 7 October 2011) Council of Ministers appointed by the president President elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 9 August 2010 (next to be held in 2017) Paul KAGAME elected to a second term as president; Paul KAGAME 93.1%, Jean NTAWUKURIRYAYO 5.1%, Prosper HIGIRO 1.4%, Alvera MUKABAR 0.4%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)

election results

Paul KAGAME elected to a second term as president; Paul KAGAME 93.1%, Jean NTAWUKURIRYAYO 5.1%, Prosper HIGIRO 1.4%, Alvera MUKABAR 0.4%

elections

President elected by popular vote for a seven-year term (eligible for a second term); elections last held on 9 August 2010 (next to be held in 2017)

head of government

Prime Minister Pierre Damien HABUMUREMYI (since 7 October 2011)

Flag description

three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue band; blue represents happiness and peace, yellow economic development and mineral wealth, green hope of prosperity and natural resources; the sun symbolizes unity, as well as enlightenment and transparency from ignorance

Government type

republic; presidential, multiparty system

Independence

1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

International organization participation

ACP, AfDB, AU, C, CEPGL, COMESA, EAC, EADB, FAO, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO (correspondent), ITSO, ITU, ITUC, MIGA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court; High Courts of the Republic; Provincial Courts; District Courts; mediation committees

Legal system

mixed legal system of civil law, based on German and Belgian models, and customary law; judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament consists of Senate (26 seats; 12 members elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum, 2 represent institutions of higher learning; members to serve eight-year terms) and Chamber of Deputies (80 seats; 53 members elected by popular vote, 24 women elected by local bodies, 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members to serve five-year terms) Senate - NA; Chamber of Deputies - last held on 15 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2013) percent of vote by party - RPF 78.8%, PSD 13.1%, PL 7.5%; seats by party - RPF 42, PSD 7, PL 4, additional 27 members indirectly elected

election results

percent of vote by party - RPF 78.8%, PSD 13.1%, PL 7.5%; seats by party - RPF 42, PSD 7, PL 4, additional 27 members indirectly elected

elections

Senate - NA; Chamber of Deputies - last held on 15 September 2008 (next to be held in September 2013)

National anthem

"Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country) Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA adopted 2001

lyrics/music

Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA

name

"Rwanda nziza" (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Political parties and leaders

Centrist Democratic Party or PDC [Agnes MUKABARANGA]; Democratic Popular Union of Rwanda or UDPR [Gonzague RWIGEMA]; Democratic Republican Movement or MDR [Celestin KABANDA] (officially banned); Islamic Democratic Party or PDI [Musa Fazil HARERIMANA]; Liberal Party or PL [Protais MITALI]; Party for Democratic Renewal (officially banned); Party for Progress and Concord or PPC [Alvera MUKABARAMBA]; Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME]; Rwandan Socialist Party or PSR [Jean Baptist RUCIBIGANGO]; Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA]; Socialist Party-Imberakuri or PS-Imberakuri [Christine MUKABUNANI]; Solidarity and Prosperity Party or PSP [Pheobe KANYANGE]

Political pressure groups and leaders

IBUKA (association of genocide survivors)

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock

Budget

$1.449 billion $1.471 billion (2010 est.)

expenditures

$1.471 billion (2010 est.)

revenues

$1.449 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-0.4% of GDP (2010 est.)

Central bank discount rate

7.75% (31 December 2010 est.) 11.25% (31 December 2008)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

16% (31 December 2010 est.) 16% (31 December 2009 est.)

Current account balance

-$629.3 million (2010 est.) -$379 million (2009 est.)

Debt - external

$NA (31 December 2010 est.) $747 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.8 (2000) 28.9 (1985)

Economy - overview

Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture and some mineral and agro-processing. Tourism is now Rwanda's primary foreign exchange earner and in 2008, minerals overtook coffee and tea as Rwanda's primary export. Minerals exports declined 40% in 2009-10 due to the global economic downturn. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and temporarily stalled the country's ability to attract private and external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 7-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. Nonetheless, a significant percent of the population still live below the official poverty line. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Agricultural production has increased significantly over the last three years and last year Rwanda was self sufficient in food production. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid money and obtained IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country (HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005-06. In recognition of Rwanda's successful management of its macro economy, in 2010, the IMF graduated Rwanda to a Policy Support Instrument (PSI). Rwanda also received a Millennium Challenge Threshold Program in 2008. Africa's most densely populated country is trying to overcome the limitations of its small, landlocked economy by leveraging regional trade. Rwanda joined the East African Community and is aligning its budget, trade, and immigration policies with its regional partners. The government has embraced an expansionary fiscal policy to reduce poverty by improving education, infrastructure, and foreign and domestic investment and pursuing market-oriented reforms. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth. The Rwandan government is seeking to become regional leader in information and communication technologies. In 2010, Rwanda neared completion of the first modern Special Economic Zone (SEZ) in Kigali. The SEZ seeks to attract investment in all sectors, but specifically in agribusiness, information and communications technologies, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. The global downturn hurt export demand and tourism, but economic growth is recovering, driven in large part by the services sector, and inflation has been contained. On the back of this growth, government is gradually ending its fiscal stimulus policy while protecting aid to the poor.

Electricity - consumption

236.8 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - exports

2 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - imports

88 million kWh (2008 est.)

Electricity - production

160 million kWh (2008 est.)

Exchange rates

Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar - 586.25 (2010) 568.18 (2009) 550 (2008) 585 (2007) 560 (2006)

Exports

$234.2 million (2010 est.) $193 million (2009 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, tea, hides, tin ore

Exports - partners

Kenya 36.6%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 14.7%, China 9.1%, Swaziland 5.9%, US 5.3%, Pakistan 4.6% (2010)

GDP - composition by sector

33.6% 14.3% 52.1% (2010 est.)

agriculture

33.6%

industry

14.3%

services

52.1% (2010 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$1,100 (2010 est.) $1,100 (2009 est.) $1,100 (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

6.5% (2010 est.) 4.1% (2009 est.) 11.2% (2008 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$5.622 billion (2010 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$12.16 billion (2010 est.) $11.42 billion (2009 est.) $10.97 billion (2008 est.) data are in 2010 US dollars

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 38.2% (2000)

highest 10%

38.2% (2000)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$1.121 billion (2010 est.) $961 million (2009 est.)

Imports - commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material

Imports - partners

Kenya 19.6%, Uganda 17.7%, UAE 8.4%, Tanzania 5.7%, China 5.3% (2010)

Industrial production growth rate

7.5% (2010 est.)

Industries

cement, agricultural products, small-scale beverages, soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

2.3% (2010 est.) 10.4% (2009 est.)

Investment (gross fixed)

22.1% of GDP (2010 est.)

Labor force

4.446 million (2007)

Labor force - by occupation

90% 10% (2000)

agriculture

90%

industry and services

10% (2000)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2009 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

56.63 billion cu m (1 January 2011 est.)

Oil - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - imports

5,105 bbl/day (2009 est.)

Oil - production

0 bbl/day (2010 est.)

Oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2011 est.)

Population below poverty line

60% (2001 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$812.8 million (31 December 2010 est.) $742.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.243 billion (31 December 2010 est.) $1.068 billion (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$538.1 million (31 December 2010 est.) $490.9 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$540.2 million (31 December 2010 est.) $512.7 million (31 December 2009 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

25.8% of GDP (2010 est.)

Unemployment rate

NA%

Broadcast media

government owns and operates the only TV station; government-owned and operated Radio Rwanda has a national reach; 9 private radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are available (2007)

Internet country code

.rw

Internet hosts

815 (2010)

Internet users

450,000 (2009)

Telephone system

small, inadequate telephone system primarily serves business, education, and government the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density has increased to about 25 telephones per 100 persons country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)

domestic

the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the provinces by microwave radio relay and, recently, by cellular telephone service; much of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular telephone density has increased to about 25 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

small, inadequate telephone system primarily serves business, education, and government

international

country code - 250; international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries; satellite earth stations - 1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)

Telephones - main lines in use

39,700 (2010)

Telephones - mobile cellular

3.549 million (2010)

Airports

9 (2010)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

4

under 914 m

1 (2010)

Airports - with unpaved runways

3 (2010)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

5

under 914 m

3 (2010)

Ports and terminals

Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye

Roadways

14,008 km 2,662 km 11,346 km (2004)

total

14,008 km

unpaved

11,346 km (2004)

Waterways

(Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft) (2009)

Manpower available for military service

2,625,917 2,608,110 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

2,608,110 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

2,625,917

Manpower fit for military service

1,685,066 1,749,580 (2010 est.)

females age 16-49

1,749,580 (2010 est.)

males age 16-49

1,685,066

Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually

110,736 110,328 (2010 est.)

female

110,328 (2010 est.)

male

110,736

Military branches

Rwandan Defense Force (RDF): Rwandan Army (Rwandan Land Force), Rwandan Air Force (2011)

Rwandan Defense Force (RDF)

Rwandan Army (Rwandan Land Force), Rwandan Air Force (2011)

Military expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2006 est.)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; Rwandan citizenship required (2011)

Disputes - international

Burundi and Rwanda dispute two sq km (0.8 sq mi) of Sabanerwa, a farmed area in the Rukurazi Valley where the Akanyaru/Kanyaru River shifted its course southward after heavy rains in 1965; fighting among ethnic groups - loosely associated political rebels, armed gangs, and various government forces in Great Lakes region transcending the boundaries of Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Rwanda, and Uganda - abated substantially from a decade ago due largely to UN peacekeeping, international mediation, and efforts by local governments to create civil societies; nonetheless, 57,000 Rwandan refugees still reside in 21 African states, including Zambia, Gabon, and 20,000 who fled to Burundi in 2005 and 2006 to escape drought and recriminations from traditional courts investigating the 1994 massacres; the 2005 DROC and Rwanda border verification mechanism to stem rebel actions on both sides of the border remains in place

Refugees and internally displaced persons

46,272 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 4,400 (Burundi) (2007)

refugees (country of origin)

46,272 (Democratic Republic of the Congo); 4,400 (Burundi) (2007)