2017 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 former 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 did 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 and assumed a nonpermanent seat on the UN Security Council for the 2013-14 term.

Area

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

land

24,668 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

1,598 m lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m highest point: Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Rusizi River 950 m

highest point

Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m

mean elevation

1,598 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

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

96 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

930 km Burundi 315 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km, Tanzania 222 km, Uganda 172 km

border countries (4)

Burundi 315 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 221 km, Tanzania 222 km, Uganda 172 km

total

930 km

Land use

74.5% arable land 47%; permanent crops 10.1%; permanent pasture 17.4% 18% 7.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

74.5%

forest

18%

other

7.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Central Africa, east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, north of Burundi

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

volcanism

Visoke (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

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

Terrain

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

Age structure

41.38% (male 2,485,386/female 2,439,101) 19.34% (male 1,151,657/female 1,149,928) 32.77% (male 1,845,501/female 2,054,410) 4.09% (male 216,725/female 269,972) 2.43% (male 113,822/female 174,982) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

41.38% (male 2,485,386/female 2,439,101)

15-24 years

19.34% (male 1,151,657/female 1,149,928)

25-54 years

32.77% (male 1,845,501/female 2,054,410)

55-64 years

4.09% (male 216,725/female 269,972)

65 years and over

2.43% (male 113,822/female 174,982) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

30.7 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

9.3% (2015)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

53.2% (2014/15)

Death rate

6.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Demographic profile

Rwanda’s fertility rate declined sharply during the last decade, as a result of the government’s commitment to family planning, the increased use of contraceptives, and a downward trend in ideal family size. Increases in educational attainment, particularly among girls, and exposure to social media also contributed to the reduction in the birth rate. The average number of births per woman decreased from a 5.6 in 2005 to 4.5 in 2016. Despite these significant strides in reducing fertility, Rwanda’s birth rate remains very high and will continue to for an extended period of time because of its large population entering reproductive age. Because Rwanda is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa, its persistent high population growth and increasingly small agricultural landholdings will put additional strain on families’ ability to raise foodstuffs and access potable water. These conditions will also hinder the government’s efforts to reduce poverty and prevent environmental degradation. The UNHCR recommended that effective 30 June 2013 countries invoke a cessation of refugee status for those Rwandans who fled their homeland between 1959 and 1998, including the 1994 genocide, on the grounds that the conditions that drove them to seek protection abroad no longer exist. The UNHCR’s decision is controversial because many Rwandan refugees still fear persecution if they return home, concerns that are supported by the number of Rwandans granted asylum since 1998 and by the number exempted from the cessation. Rwandan refugees can still seek an exemption or local integration, but host countries are anxious to send the refugees back to Rwanda and are likely to avoid options that enable them to stay. Conversely, Rwanda itself hosts almost 160,000 refugees as of 2017; virtually all of them fleeing conflict in neighboring Burundi and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Dependency ratios

77.3 72.4 20.1 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

5

potential support ratio

20.1 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

77.3

youth dependency ratio

72.4

Drinking water source

urban: 86.6% of population rural: 71.9% of population total: 76.1% of population urban: 13.4% of population rural: 28.1% of population total: 23.9% of population (2015 est.)

rural

28.1% of population

total

23.9% of population (2015 est.)

urban

13.4% of population

Education expenditures

5% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Hutu (Bantu), Tutsi (Hamitic), Twa (Pygmy)

Health expenditures

7.5% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

3.1% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - deaths

3,300 (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

220,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

1.6 beds/1,000 population (2007)

Infant mortality rate

29.7 deaths/1,000 live births 32.7 deaths/1,000 live births 26.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

26.7 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

32.7 deaths/1,000 live births

total

29.7 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Kinyarwanda (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, French (official)

Life expectancy at birth

64.3 years 62.3 years 66.3 years (2017 est.)

female

66.3 years (2017 est.)

male

62.3 years

total population

64.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 70.5% 73.2% 68% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

68% (2015 est.)

male

73.2%

total population

70.5%

Major infectious diseases

very high bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever malaria and dengue fever rabies (2016)

animal contact disease

rabies (2016)

degree of risk

very high

food or waterborne diseases

bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A, and typhoid fever

vectorborne diseases

malaria and dengue fever

Major urban areas - population

KIGALI (capital) 1.257 million (2015)

Maternal mortality ratio

290 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

19 years 18.3 years 19.8 years (2017 est.)

female

19.8 years (2017 est.)

male

18.3 years

total

19 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

23 years median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014/15 est.)

note

median age at first birth among women 25-29 (2014/15 est.)

Nationality

Rwandan(s) Rwandan

adjective

Rwandan

noun

Rwandan(s)

Net migration rate

0.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

5.8% (2016)

Physicians density

0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2010)

Population

11,901,484 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 (July 2017 est.)

note

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 (July 2017 est.)

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

Population growth rate

2.45% (2017 est.)

Religions

Protestant 50.2% (includes Adventist 12% and other Protestant 38.2%), Roman Catholic 44.3%, Muslim 2%, other 0.9% (includes traditionalist/animist), none 2.5%, unspecified

Sanitation facility access

urban: 58.5% of population rural: 62.9% of population total: 61.6% of population urban: 41.5% of population rural: 37.1% of population total: 38.4% of population (2015 est.)

rural

37.1% of population

total

38.4% of population (2015 est.)

urban

41.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

11 years 11 years 11 years (2013)

female

11 years (2013)

male

11 years

total

11 years

Sex ratio

1.03 male(s)/female 1.02 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.88 male(s)/female 0.7 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.02 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.88 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.7 male(s)/female

at birth

1.03 male(s)/female

total population

1 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

3.87 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

4.4% 3.6% 5.2% (2012 est.)

female

5.2% (2012 est.)

male

3.6%

total

4.4%

Urbanization

30.7% of total population (2017) 5.59% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

5.59% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

30.7% of total population (2017)

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

geographic coordinates

1 57 S, 30 03 E

name

Kigali

time difference

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

Citizenship

no the father must be a citizen of Rwanda; if the father is stateless or unknown, the mother must be a citizen no 10 years

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

Constitution

several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003 proposed by the president of the republic (with Council of Ministers approval) or by two-thirds majority support 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; amended 2008, 2010, 2015 (2017)

amendments

proposed by the president of the republic (with Council of Ministers approval) or by two-thirds majority support 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; amended 2008, 2010, 2015 (2017)

history

several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003

Country name

Republic of Rwanda Rwanda Republika y'u Rwanda Rwanda Ruanda, German East Africa the name translates as "domain" in the native Kinyarwanda language

conventional long form

Republic of Rwanda

conventional short form

Rwanda

etymology

the name translates as "domain" in the native Kinyarwanda language

former

Ruanda, German East Africa

local long form

Republika y'u Rwanda

local short form

Rwanda

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Erica BARKS-RUGGLES (since 26 January 2015) 2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali B.P. 28, Kigali [250] 252 596-400 [250] 252 580 325

chief of mission

Ambassador Erica BARKS-RUGGLES (since 26 January 2015)

embassy

2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali

FAX

[250] 252 580 325

mailing address

B.P. 28, Kigali

telephone

[250] 252 596-400

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 18 July 2013) 1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 418, Washington, DC, 2000 [1] (202) 232-2882 [1] (202) 232-4544

chancery

1875 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Suite 418, Washington, DC, 2000

chief of mission

Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 18 July 2013)

FAX

[1] (202) 232-4544

telephone

[1] (202) 232-2882

Executive branch

President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000) Prime Minister Edouard NGIRENTE (since 30 August 2017) Council of Ministers appointed by the president president directly elected by simple majority vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); note - constitutional amendments approved in December 2016, included one that reduces the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but includes an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms; election last held on 4 August 2017 (next to be held on 4 August 2024); prime minister appointed by the president Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.7%, Frank HABINEZA (DGP)0.5%

cabinet

Council of Ministers appointed by the president

chief of state

President Paul KAGAME (since 22 April 2000)

election results

Paul KAGAME reelected president; Paul KAGAME (RPF) 98.8%, Philippe MPAYIMANA (independent) 0.7%, Frank HABINEZA (DGP)0.5%

elections/appointments

president directly elected by simple majority vote for a 7-year term (eligible for a second term); note - constitutional amendments approved in December 2016, included one that reduces the presidential term from 7 to 5 years but includes an exception that allowed President KAGAME to serve another 7-year term in 2017, potentially followed by two additional 5-year terms; election last held on 4 August 2017 (next to be held on 4 August 2024); prime minister appointed by the president

head of government

Prime Minister Edouard NGIRENTE (since 30 August 2017)

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

presidential republic

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, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIF, OPCW, PCA, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNISFA, UNMISS, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO

Judicial branch

Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 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 Supreme Court judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary or 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 High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts

highest court(s)

Supreme Court (consists of the chief and deputy chief justices and 15 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

High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts

note

Supreme Court judges nominated by the president of the republic after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary or 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; Gacaca and military specialized courts

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 the Senate or Senat (26 seats; 12 members indirectly elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum - a body of registered political parties, and 2 selected by institutions of higher learning; members serve 8-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (80 seats; 53 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 24 women elected by special interest groups, and 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members serve 5-year terms) Senate - NA; Chamber of Deputies - last held on 16-18 September 2013 (next to be held in 2018) Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 76.2%, PSD 13%, PL 9.3%, other 1.5%; seats by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 41, PSD 7, PL 5, 27 indirectly elected members

description

bicameral Parliament consists of the Senate or Senat (26 seats; 12 members indirectly elected by local councils, 8 appointed by the president, 4 appointed by the Political Organizations Forum - a body of registered political parties, and 2 selected by institutions of higher learning; members serve 8-year terms) and the Chamber of Deputies or Chambre des Deputes (80 seats; 53 members directly elected by proportional representation vote, 24 women elected by special interest groups, and 3 selected by youth and disability organizations; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 76.2%, PSD 13%, PL 9.3%, other 1.5%; seats by party - Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition 41, PSD 7, PL 5, 27 indirectly elected members

elections

Senate - NA; Chamber of Deputies - last held on 16-18 September 2013 (next to be held in 2018)

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)

note

adopted 2001

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

National symbol(s)

traditional woven basket with peaked lid; national colors: blue, yellow, green

traditional woven basket with peaked lid; national colors

blue, yellow, green

Political parties and leaders

Liberal Party or PL [Donatille MUKABALISA] Party for Progress and Concord or PPC [Dr. Alivera MUKABARAMBA] Rwandan Patriotic Front or RPF [Paul KAGAME] Rwandan Patriotic Front Coalition (includes RPF, PPC) [Paul KAGAME] Social Democratic Party or PSD [Vincent BIRUTA]

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

$1.958 billion $2.268 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$2.268 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$1.958 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-3.7% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

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

Commercial bank prime lending rate

17.3% (31 December 2016 est.) 17.33% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$-1.211 billion (2016 est.) $-1.106 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$2.611 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $2.244 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

46.8 (2000) 28.9 (1985)

Economy - overview

Rwanda is a rural, agrarian country with about 35% of the population engaged in subsistence agriculture, and with some mineral and agro-processing. Population density is high but not concentrated in large metropolises – its 13 million people are spread out on a small amount of land (about the size of Vermont and New Hampshire combined). Tourism, minerals, coffee, and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food production often does not keep pace with demand, requiring food imports. Energy shortages, instability in neighboring states, and lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries continue to handicap private sector growth. 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 beyond pre-1994 levels. GDP has rebounded with an average annual growth of 6%-8% since 2003 and inflation has been reduced to single digits. In 2015, 39% of the population lived below the poverty line, according to government statistics, compared to 57% in 2006. Mining profits in 2015 were reduced by almost half, owing to the drop in global demand for minerals. 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. In recognition of Rwanda's successful management of its macro economy, the IMF graduated Rwanda to a Policy Support Instrument in 2010. The Rwandan Government is seeking to become a regional leader in information and communication technologies. In 2012, Rwanda completed 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, trade and logistics, mining, and construction. In 2016, the government launched an online system to give investors information about public land and its suitability for agricultural development.

Exchange rates

Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar - 787.25 (2016 est.) 787.25 (2015 est.) 720.54 (2014 est.) 680.95 (2013 est.) 616.6 (2012 est.)

Exports

$745 million (2016 est.) $683.7 million (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

coffee, tea, hides, tin ore

Exports - partners

Democratic Republic of the Congo 31.3%, Kenya 15.7%, UAE 13.8%, Switzerland 8.7%, Burundi 5.7% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

76.8% 15.2% 25.6% 0.6% 15.1% -33.2% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

15.1%

government consumption

15.2%

household consumption

76.8%

imports of goods and services

-33.2% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

25.6%

investment in inventories

0.6%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

31.5% 17.6% 50.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

31.5%

industry

17.6%

services

50.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$2,000 (2016 est.) $1,900 (2015 est.) $1,800 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

5.9% (2016 est.) 8.9% (2015 est.) 7.6% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$8.406 billion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$22.79 billion (2016 est.) $21.24 billion (2015 est.) $19.3 billion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

7.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 8.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 8.6% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 43.2% (2011 est.)

highest 10%

43.2% (2011 est.)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$2.045 billion (2016 est.) $1.919 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

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

Imports - partners

China 21.2%, Uganda 11.2%, Kenya 7.8%, India 7.4%, UAE 5.8%, Tanzania 5.3% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

6.8% (2016 est.)

Industries

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

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

5.7% (2016 est.) 2.5% (2015 est.)

Labor force

6.011 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

75.3% 6.7% 18% (2012 est.)

agriculture

75.3%

industry

6.7%

services

18% (2012 est.)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$NA

Population below poverty line

39.1% (2015 est.)

Public debt

43.4% of GDP (2016 est.) 36.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$1.104 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.03 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.903 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.64 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$26.8 million (31 December 2016 est.) $20.2 million (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$2.072 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.813 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$1.959 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.337 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$940.6 million (31 December 2016 est.) $1.013 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

23.3% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

2.7% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

800,000 Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - imports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Crude oil - production

0 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

0 bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

644 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

4 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

27.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

65.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

6.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

90 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

152,000 kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

600 million kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

9,300,000 21% 67% 5% (2013)

electrification - rural areas

5% (2013)

electrification - total population

21%

electrification - urban areas

67%

population without electricity

9,300,000

Natural gas - consumption

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - exports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - imports

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - production

0 cu m (2013 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

56.63 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

6,000 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

5,979 bbl/day (2014 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

0 bbl/day (2014 est.)

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 users

2,597,685 20.0% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

20.0% (July 2016 est.)

total

2,597,685

Telephone system

small, inadequate telephone system primarily serves business, education, and government the capital, Kigali, is connected to provincial centers 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 and now exceeds 65 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) (2015)

domestic

the capital, Kigali, is connected to provincial centers 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 and now exceeds 65 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) (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

13,403 less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

less than 1 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

13,403

Telephones - mobile cellular

8,921,533 69 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

69 (July 2016 est.)

total

8,921,533

Airports

7 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

1 (2017)

914 to 1,523 m

2

over 3,047 m

1

total

4

under 914 m

1 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

1 (2013)

914 to 1,523 m

2

total

3

under 914 m

1 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

9XR (2016)

National air transport system

645,815 21,382,897 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

21,382,897 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

645,815

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

9

number of registered air carriers

1

Ports and terminals

Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu)

lake port(s)

Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu)

Roadways

4,700 km 1,207 km 3,493 km (2012)

paved

1,207 km

total

4,700 km

unpaved

3,493 km (2012)

Waterways

(Lac Kivu navigable by shallow-draft barges and native craft) (2011)

Military branches

Rwanda Defense Force (RDF): Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR) (2013)

Rwanda Defense Force (RDF)

Rwanda Army (Rwanda Land Force), Rwanda Air Force (Force Aerienne Rwandaise, FAR) (2013)

Military expenditures

1.21% of GDP (2016) 1.25% of GDP (2015) 1.13% of GDP (2014) 1.08% of GDP (2013) 1.09% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription; Rwandan citizenship is required, as is a 9th-grade education for enlisted recruits and an A-level certificate for officer candidates; enlistment is either as contract (5-years, renewable twice) or career; retirement (for officers and senior NCOs) after 20 years of service or at 40-60 years of age (2012)

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 (DROC), 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

89,575 (Burundi); 74,933 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2017)

refugees (country of origin)

89,575 (Burundi); 74,933 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2017)