Country Guide

Rwanda Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo


Geographic coordinates:
2 00 S, 30 00 E


Map references:
Africa


Area:
total:26,338 sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 149
land:24,668 sq km
water:1,670 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly smaller than Maryland


Land boundaries:
total:893 km
border countries:Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Rusizi River 950 m
highest point:Volcan Karisimbi 4,519 m


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


    Land use:
arable land:46.32%
permanent crops:9.49%
other:44.19% (2011)


Irrigated land:
96.25 sq km (2007)


Total renewable water resources:
9.5 cu km (2011)


Freshwater withdrawal (domestic/industrial/agricultural):
9.5 cu km (2011)

Natural hazards:
periodic droughts; the volcanic Virunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo


Environment - current issues:
deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel; overgrazing; soil exhaustion; soil erosion; widespread poaching


Environment - international agreements:
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


Geography - note:
landlocked; most of the country is savanna grassland with the population predominantly rural

People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Rwandan(s)
adjective:Rwandan


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


Languages:
Kinyarwanda only (official, universal Bantu vernacular) 93.2%, Kinyarwanda and other language(s) 6.2%, French (official) and other language(s) 0.1%, English (official) and other language(s) 0.1%, Swahili (or Kiswahili, used in commercial centers) 0.02%, other 0.03%, unspecified 0.3% (2002 est.)


Religions:
Roman Catholic 49.5%, Protestant 39.4% (includes Adventist 12.2% and other Protestant 27.2%), other Christian 4.5%, Muslim 1.8%, animist 0.1%, other 0.6%, none 3.6% (2001), unspecified 0.5% (2002 est.)


Population:
12,337,138country comparison to the world: 74
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 2014 est.)



Age structure:
0-14 years:42.1% (male 2,617,472/female 2,575,429)
15-24 years:18.9% (male 1,166,258/female 1,167,934)
25-54 years:32.5% (male 2,010,034/female 1,994,582)
55-64 years:4% (male 229,759/female 267,430)
65 years and over:2.5% (male 125,862/female 182,378) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:80.2 %
youth dependency ratio:75.8 %
elderly dependency ratio:4.4 %
potential support ratio:22.8 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:18.7 years
male:18.4 years
female:18.9 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
2.63% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 23


Birth rate:
34.61 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 28


Death rate:
9.18 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 63


Net migration rate:
0.9 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 63


Urbanization:
urban population:19.1% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:4.5% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
KIGALI (capital) 1.004 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.03 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.02 male(s)/female
15-24 years:1 male(s)/female
25-54 years:1.01 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.67 male(s)/female
total population:0.99 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
22.9


    Maternal mortality rate:
340 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:59.59 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 23
male:63.11 deaths/1,000 live births
female:55.96 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


Life expectancy at birth:
total population:59.26 yearscountry comparison to the world: 197
male:57.73 years
female:60.83 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
4.62 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 27


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
51.6% (2010/11)


Health expenditures:
10.8% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
0.06 physicians/1,000 population (2010)


Hospital bed density:
1.6 beds/1,000 population (2007)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 80.7% of population
rural: 68.3% of population
total: 70.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 19.3% of population
rural: 31.7% of population
total: 29.3% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 61% of population
rural: 64.4% of population
total: 63.8% of population
unimproved:
urban: 39% of population
rural: 35.6% of population
total: 36.2% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.9% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 22


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
206,900 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 30


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
5,600 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 34


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
4.3% (2008)country comparison to the world: 170


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
11.7% (2011)country comparison to the world: 63


Education expenditures:
5.1% of GDP (2013)country comparison to the world: 73

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write
total population:71.1%
male:74.8%
female:67.5% (2010 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:10 years
male:10 years
female:10 years (2012)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:
Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Rwanda
conventional short form:Rwanda
local long form:Republika y'u Rwanda
local short form:Rwanda
former:Ruanda, German East Africa


Government type:
republic; presidential, multiparty system


Capital:
name:Kigali
geographic coordinates:1 57 S, 30 03 E
time difference:UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


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)


Independence:
1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 1 July (1962)


Constitution:
several previous; latest adopted by referendum 26 May 2003, effective 4 June 2003; amended several times, last in 2010 (2013)


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


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


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


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)
elections:Senate - NA; Chamber of Deputies - last held on 15 September 2008 (next to be held on 16-18 September 2013)
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


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of the court president, vice president, and 12 judges; normally organized into 3-judge benches)
note - the Gacaca Court was established in 2001 by the National Unity Government to try cases of genocide against the Tutsis
judge selection and term of office:judges nominated by the president of the republic, after consultation with the Cabinet and the Superior Council of the Judiciary (a 14-member body of judges, other judicial officials, and legal professionals), and approved by the Senate; court president and vice president appointed for 8-year nonrenewable terms; tenure of other judges NA
subordinate courts:High Court of the Republic; commercial courts including the High Commercial Court; intermediate courts; primary courts; Gacaca and military specialized courts


    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)


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


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Mathilde MUKANTABANA (since 5 July 2013)
chancery:1714 New Hampshire Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20009
telephone:[1] (202) 232-2882
FAX:[1] (202) 232-4544


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Donald W. KORAN (since 8 August 2011)
embassy:2657 Avenue de la Gendarmerie, Kigali
mailing address:B. P. 28, Kigali
telephone:[250] 596-400
FAX:[250] 596-591


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


National anthem:
name:'Rwanda nziza' (Rwanda, Our Beautiful Country)

lyrics/music:Faustin MURIGO/Jean-Bosco HASHAKAIMANA
note:adopted 2001

Economy

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, minerals, coffee and tea are Rwanda's main sources of foreign exchange. 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. 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 has recovered, driven in large part by the services sector, but inflation has grown. On the back of this growth, government is gradually ending its fiscal stimulus policy while protecting aid to the poor.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$16.37 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 142
$15.23 billion (2012 est.)
$14.1 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$7.7 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
7.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 15
8% (2012 est.)
8.2% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,500 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 206
$1,500 (2012 est.)
$1,400 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
12.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
14.8% of GDP (2012 est.)
14.1% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:88.2%
government consumption:9%
investment in fixed capital:21.2%
investment in inventories:0%
exports of goods and services:11.3%
imports of goods and services:-29.7%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:31.9%
industry:14.8%
services:53.3% (2013 est.)


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


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


Industrial production growth rate:
6% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 43

Labor force:
4.446 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 86


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:90%
industry and services:10% (2000)


Unemployment rate:
NA%


Population below poverty line:
44.9% (2011 est.)


    Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.1%
highest 10%:43.2% (2011 est.)


Distribution of family income - Gini index:
46.8 (2000)
country comparison to the world: 31
28.9 (1985)


Budget:
revenues:$1.814 billion
expenditures:$2.146 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
23.6% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 139

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-4.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155


Public debt:
23.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
21.7% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
5.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
6.3% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
7.75% (31 December 2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 22
11.25% (31 December 2008)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
16.3% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 25
17.5% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$791.6 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 153
$671.2 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.445 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161
$1.137 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$717.3 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 160
$557 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$667.9 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 110
-$569.2 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$538.3 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171
$512 million (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
coffee, tea, hides, tin ore


Exports - partners:
Kenya 30.5%, Democratic Republic of the Congo 12.2%, China 12.1%, Malaysia 10.7%, US 5.8%, Swaziland 4.9% (2012)


Imports:
$1.937 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 165
$1.871 billion (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material


Imports - partners:
Kenya 17.3%, Uganda 15.6%, UAE 8.9%, China 7.2%, India 5.6%, Tanzania 5%, Belgium 4.5%, Canada 4.1% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.354 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128
$847.8 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$1.656 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
$1.153 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$900.1 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 103
$743.3 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$12.9 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91
$12.9 million (31 December 2012 est.)


Exchange rates:
Rwandan francs (RWF) per US dollar -
633.6 (2013 est.)
616.6 (2012 est.)
583.13 (2010 est.)
568.18 (2009)
550 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
280.2 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 176


Electricity - consumption:
319.6 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Electricity - exports:
3 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 91


Electricity - imports:
62 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 98


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
57,250 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
52.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 150


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 170


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
47.2% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 46


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0.4% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 87


Crude oil - production:
10 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 128


Crude oil - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 113


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
0 bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 180


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
5,245 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 166


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 211


Refined petroleum products - imports:
5,302 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 184


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 188


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 173


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121


Natural gas - proved reserves:
56.63 billion cu m (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 64


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
865,100 Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
44,400 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 167


Telephones - mobile cellular:
5.69 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 104


Telephone system:
general assessment:small, inadequate telephone system primarily serves business, education, and government
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 and now exceeds 40 telephones per 100 persons
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) (2010)



    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:
1,447 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 168


Internet users:
450,000 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 118

Transportation

Airports
7 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 167


Airports - with paved runways
total:4
over 3,047 m:1
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:3
914 to 1,523 m:2
under 914 m:
1 (2013)


    Roadways
total:4,700 kmcountry comparison to the world: 152
paved:1,207 km
unpaved:3,493 km (2012)


Waterways



Ports and terminals
lake port(s):Cyangugu, Gisenyi, Kibuye (Lake Kivu)

Military

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


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)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:2,625,917
females age 16-49:2,608,110 (2010 est.)


Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,685,066
females age 16-49:1,749,580 (2010 est.)


    Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:110,736
female:110,328 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
1.12% of GDP (2012)
country comparison to the world: 93
1.19% of GDP (2011)
1.12% of GDP (2010)

Transnational Issues

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
refugees (country of origin):72,988 (Democratic Republic of the Congo) (2013)
IDPs:undetermined (fighting between government and insurgency in 1998-99; returning refugees) (2012)



Trafficking in persons

 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook