Country Guide

Chad Facts

Geography People and Society Government Economy Communications Transportation Military Transnational Issues

Geography

Location:
Central Africa, south of Libya


Geographic coordinates:
15 00 N, 19 00 E


Map references:
Africa


Area:
total:1.284 million sq kmcountry comparison to the world: 21
land:1,259,200 sq km
water:24,800 sq km


Area - comparative:
slightly more than three times the size of California


Land boundaries:
total:6,406 km
border countries:Cameroon 1,116 km, Central African Republic 1,556 km, Libya 1,050 km, Niger 1,196 km, Nigeria 85 km, Sudan 1,403 km


Coastline:
0 km (landlocked)


Maritime claims:
lowest point:Djourab 160 m
highest point:Emi Koussi 3,415 m


Natural resources:
petroleum, uranium, natron, kaolin, fish (Lake Chad), gold, limestone, sand and gravel, salt


    Land use:
arable land:3.82%
permanent crops:0.02%
other:96.16% (2011)


Irrigated land:
302.7 sq km (2003)


Total renewable water resources:
43 cu km (2011)


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

Natural hazards:
hot, dry, dusty harmattan winds occur in north; periodic droughts; locust plagues


Environment - current issues:
inadequate supplies of potable water; improper waste disposal in rural areas contributes to soil and water pollution; desertification


Environment - international agreements:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping


Geography - note:
party to:Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified:Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping


People and Society

Nationality:
noun: Chadian(s)
adjective:Chadian


Ethnic groups:
Sara 27.7%, Arab 12.3%, Mayo-Kebbi 11.5%, Kanem-Bornou 9%, Ouaddai 8.7%, Hadjarai 6.7%, Tandjile 6.5%, Gorane 6.3%, Fitri-Batha 4.7%, other 6.4%, unknown 0.3% (1993 census)


Languages:
French (official), Arabic (official), Sara (in south), more than 120 different languages and dialects


Religions:
Muslim 53.1%, Catholic 20.1%, Protestant 14.2%, animist 7.3%, other 0.5%, unknown 1.7%, atheist 3.1% (1993 census)


Population:
11,412,107 (July 2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 77


Age structure:
0-14 years:44.7% (male 2,588,424/female 2,515,935)
15-24 years:20.6% (male 1,143,812/female 1,211,136)
25-54 years:27.8% (male 1,436,018/female 1,737,901)
55-64 years:3.9% (male 193,173/female 247,584)
65 years and over:3% (male 140,592/female 197,532) (2014 est.)


Dependency ratios:
total dependency ratio:102.2 %
youth dependency ratio:97.4 %
elderly dependency ratio:4.8 %
potential support ratio:20.7 (2014 est.)


Median age:
total:17.2 years
male:16.1 years
female:18.2 years (2014 est.)


Population growth rate:
1.92% (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 59


Birth rate:
37.29 births/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 16


Death rate:
14.56 deaths/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 4


Net migration rate:
-3.54 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 187


Urbanization:
urban population:21.8% of total population (2011)
rate of urbanization:3% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)


Major urban areas - population:
N'DJAMENA (capital) 1.079 million (2011)


Sex ratio:
at birth:1.04 male(s)/female
0-14 years:1.03 male(s)/female
15-24 years:0.94 male(s)/female
25-54 years:0.83 male(s)/female
55-64 years:0.93 male(s)/female
65 years and over:0.72 male(s)/female
total population:0.93 male(s)/female (2014 est.)


Mother's mean age at first birth:
18.2


Maternal mortality rate:
1,100 deaths/100,000 live births (2010)


Infant mortality rate:
total:90.3 deaths/1,000 live birthscountry comparison to the world: 6
male:95.92 deaths/1,000 live births
female:84.46 deaths/1,000 live births (2014 est.)


    Life expectancy at birth:
total population:49.44 yearscountry comparison to the world: 223
male:48.3 years
female:50.63 years (2014 est.)


Total fertility rate:
4.68 children born/woman (2014 est.)country comparison to the world: 24


Contraceptive prevalence rate:
4.8% (2010)


Health expenditures:
4.3% of GDP (2011)


Physicians density:
0.04 physicians/1,000 population (2006)


Hospital bed density:
0.43 beds/1,000 population (2005)


Drinking water source:
improved:
urban: 71.8% of population
rural: 44.8% of population
total: 50.7% of population
unimproved:
urban: 28.2% of population
rural: 55.2% of population
total: 49.3% of population (2012 est.)


Sanitation facility access:
improved:
urban: 31.4% of population
rural: 6.5% of population
total: 11.9% of population
unimproved:
urban: 68.6% of population
rural: 93.5% of population
total: 88.1% of population (2012 est.)


HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate:
2.7% (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 25


HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS:
213,100 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 28


HIV/AIDS - deaths:
14,400 (2012 est.)country comparison to the world: 21


Major infectious diseases:


Obesity - adult prevalence rate:
2.7% (2008)country comparison to the world: 177


Children under the age of 5 years underweight:
33.9% (2004)country comparison to the world: 8


Education expenditures:
2.3% of GDP (2011)country comparison to the world: 160

Literacy:
definition:age 15 and over can read and write French or Arabic
total population:35.4%
male:45.6%
female:25.4% (2011 est.)


School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education):
total:7 years
male:9 years
female:6 years (2011)


Child labor - children ages 5-14:

Government

Country name:
conventional long form: Republic of Chad
conventional short form:Chad
local long form:Republique du Tchad/Jumhuriyat Tshad
local short form:Tchad/Tshad


Government type:
republic


Capital:
name:N'Djamena
geographic coordinates:12 06 N, 15 02 E
time difference:UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)


Administrative divisions:
23 regions (regions, singular - region); Barh el Gazel, Batha, Borkou, Chari-Baguirmi, Ennedi-Est, Ennedi-Quest, Guera, Hadjer-Lamis, Kanem, Lac, Logone Occidental, Logone Oriental, Mandoul, Mayo-Kebbi Est, Mayo-Kebbi Ouest, Moyen-Chari, Ouaddai, Salamat, Sila, Tandjile, Tibesti, Ville de N'Djamena, Wadi Fira


Independence:
11 August 1960 (from France)


National holiday:
Independence Day, 11 August (1960)


Constitution:
several previous; latest passed by referendum 31 March 1996, entered into force 8 April 1996; amended 2005 (2010)


Legal system:
mixed legal system of civil and customary law


International law organization participation:
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction


Suffrage:
18 years of age; universal


Executive branch:
chief of state:President Idriss DEBY Itno, Lt. Gen. (since 4 December 1990)
head of government:Prime Minister Kalzeube Pahimi DEUBET (since 21 November 2013)
cabinet:Council of State; members are appointed by the president on the recommendation of the prime minister
elections:president elected by popular vote for a five-year term; if no candidate receives at least 50% of the total vote, the two candidates receiving the most votes must stand for a second round of voting; last election held on 25 April 2011 (next to be held by 2016); prime minister appointed by the president
election results:Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY Itno reelected president; percent of vote - Lt. Gen. Idriss DEBY 83.6%, Albert Pahimi PADACKE 8.6%, Nadji MADOU 7.8%


Legislative branch:
unicameral National Assembly (188 seats; members elected by popular vote to serve four-year terms)
elections:National Assembly - last held on 13 February 2011 (next to be held by 2015); note - legislative elections, originally scheduled for 2006, were first delayed by National Assembly action and subsequently by an accord, signed in August 2007, between government and opposition parties
election results:percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - ART 133, UNDR 11, others 44


Judicial branch:
highest court(s):Supreme Court (consists of a chief justice and 15 judges or councilors and divided into 3 chambers); Constitutional Council (consists of 3 judges and 6 jurists)
judge selection and term of office:Supreme Court chief justice selected by the president; councilors - 8 designated by the president and 7 by the speaker of the National Assembly; chief justice and councilors appointed for life; Constitutional Council judges - 2 appointed by the president and 1 by the speaker of the National Assembly; jurists - 3 each by the president and by the speaker of the National Assembly; judges term NA
subordinate courts:High Court of Justice; Courts of Appeal; tribunals; justices of the peace


    Political parties and leaders:
Alliance for the Renaissance of Chad or ART, an alliance among the ruling MPS, RDP, and Viva-RNDP
Federation Action for the Republic or FAR [Ngarledjy YORONGAR]
National Rally for Development and Progress or Viva-RNDP [Dr. Nouradine Delwa Kassire COUMAKOYE]
National Union for Democracy and Renewal or UNDR [Saleh KEBZABO]
Party for Liberty and Development or PLD [Jean-Baptiste LAOKOLE]
Patriotic Salvation Movement or MPS [Mahamat Saleh AHMAT, chairman]
Rally for Democracy and Progress or RDP [Lol Mahamat CHOUA]
Union for Renewal and Democracy or URD [Sande NGARYIMBE]


Political pressure groups and leaders:
rebel groups


International organization participation:
ACP, AfDB, AU, BDEAC, CEMAC, EITI (candidate country), FAO, FZ, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICRM, IDA, IDB, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINUSMA, NAM, OIC, OIF, OPCW, UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UNOCI, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO


Diplomatic representation in the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador Mahamat NASSER (since 21 May 2014)
chancery:2401 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone:[1] (202) 462-4009
FAX:[1] (202) 265-1937


Diplomatic representation from the US:
chief of mission:Ambassador James KNIGHT (since 13 March 2013)
embassy:Avenue Felix Eboue, N'Djamena
mailing address:B. P. 413, N'Djamena
telephone:[235] 2251-70-09
FAX:[235] 2251-56-54


Flag description:
three equal vertical bands of blue (hoist side), yellow, and red; the flag combines the blue and red French (former colonial) colors with the red and yellow of the Pan-African colors; blue symbolizes the sky, hope, and the south of the country, which is relatively well-watered; yellow represents the sun, as well as the desert in the north of the country; red stands for progress, unity, and sacrifice


National symbol(s):
goat (north); lion (south)


National anthem:
name:'La Tchadienne' (The Chadian)
lyrics/music:Louis GIDROL and his students/Paul VILLARD
note:adopted 1960

Economy

Economy - overview:
Oil and agriculture drive Chad’s economy. At least 80% of Chad's population relies for its livelihood on subsistence farming and livestock raising and oil provides the bulk of export revenues. Cotton, cattle, and gum arabic provide the bulk of Chad's non-oil export earnings. Remittances have also been an important source of income and Chad relies on foreign assistance and foreign capital for most public and private sector investment. Oil production came on stream in late 2003 and Chad began to export oil in 2004. Economic growth has been positive in recent years due to high oil prices and strong local harvests, but Chad’s fiscal situation is repeatedly exposed to declining oil prices and drought . Recently, the economy has been strained by the costs of repatriating Chadians fleeing the violence in South Sudan and the Central African Republic. Chad's investment climate remains challenging due to limited infrastructure, a lack of trained workers, extensive government bureaucracy, and corruption.


GDP (purchasing power parity):
$28 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 118
$26.94 billion (2012 est.)
$24.74 billion (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


GDP (official exchange rate):
$13.59 billion (2013 est.)


GDP - real growth rate:
3.9% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 83
8.9% (2012 est.)
0.1% (2011 est.)


GDP - per capita (PPP):
$2,500 (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 186
$2,500 (2012 est.)
$2,400 (2011 est.)
note:data are in 2013 US dollars


Gross national saving:
46.4% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 5
45.6% of GDP (2012 est.)
45.4% of GDP (2011 est.)


GDP - composition, by end use:
household consumption:25.9%
government consumption:12.2%
investment in fixed capital:53%
investment in inventories:0.3%
exports of goods and services:32%
imports of goods and services:-23.4%
(2013 est.)


GDP - composition, by sector of origin:
agriculture:46.3%
industry:9.9%
services:43.8% (2013 est.)


Agriculture - products:
cotton, sorghum, millet, peanuts, rice, potatoes, cassava (manioc, tapioca), cattle, sheep, goats, camels


Industries:
oil, cotton textiles, meatpacking, brewing, natron (sodium carbonate), soap, cigarettes, construction materials


Industrial production growth rate:
10% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 14

Labor force:
4.293 million (2007)
country comparison to the world: 87


Labor force - by occupation:
agriculture:80%
industry and services:20% (2006 est.)


Unemployment rate:
NA%


Population below poverty line:
80% (2001 est.)


Household income or consumption by percentage share:
lowest 10%:2.6%
highest 10%:30.8% (2003)


    Budget:
revenues:$2.753 billion
expenditures:$3.557 billion (2013 est.)


Taxes and other revenues:
20.3% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 161

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-):
-5.9% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 177


Public debt:
30.5% of GDP (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 121
31.3% of GDP (2012 est.)


Fiscal year:
calendar year


Inflation rate (consumer prices):
4.5% (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 148
10.2% (2012 est.)


Central bank discount rate:
4.25% (31 December 2009)
country comparison to the world: 76
4.75% (31 December 2008)


Commercial bank prime lending rate:
15.5% (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 33
15.5% (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of narrow money:
$1.598 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 133
$1.442 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of broad money:
$1.804 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 155
$1.559 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of domestic credit:
$832.4 million (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 156
NA% (31 December 2012 est.)


Market value of publicly traded shares:
$NA


Current account balance:
-$827.1 million (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 116
-$378.9 million (2012 est.)


Exports:
$3.865 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 123
$4.126 billion (2012 est.)


Exports - commodities:
oil, cattle, cotton, gum arabic


Exports - partners:
US 81.9%, China 6.7% (2012)


Imports:
$2.701 billion (2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 152
$NA (2012 est.)


Imports - commodities:
machinery and transportation equipment, industrial goods, foodstuffs, textiles


Imports - partners:
China 20.2%, Cameroon 18.2%, France 16.1%, Saudi Arabia 5.6%, US 4.2% (2012)


Reserves of foreign exchange and gold:
$1.304 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 130
$1.174 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Debt - external:
$1.828 billion (31 December 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 145
$1.794 billion (31 December 2012 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - at home:
$NA
$4.5 billion (2006 est.)


Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad:
$NA


Exchange rates:
Cooperation Financiere en Afrique Centrale francs (XAF) per US dollar -
500.7 (2013 est.)
510.53 (2012 est.)
495.28 (2010 est.)
472.19 (2009)
447.81 (2008)

Energy

Electricity - production:
98 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Electricity - consumption:
91.14 million kWh (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 199


Electricity - exports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 115


Electricity - imports:
0 kWh (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 125


Electricity - installed generating capacity:
31,000 kW (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 198


Electricity - from fossil fuels:
100% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 10


Electricity - from nuclear fuels:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 60


Electricity - from hydroelectric plants:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162


Electricity - from other renewable sources:
0% of total installed capacity (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 164


Crude oil - production:
104,500 bbl/day (2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 49


Crude oil - exports:
125,700 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 36


Crude oil - imports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 169


    Crude oil - proved reserves:
1.5 billion bbl (1 January 2013 est.)
country comparison to the world: 38


Refined petroleum products - production:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129


Refined petroleum products - consumption:
1,817 bbl/day (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 190


Refined petroleum products - exports:
0 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 162


Refined petroleum products - imports:
1,754 bbl/day (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 183


Natural gas - production:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 112


Natural gas - consumption:
0 cu m (2010 est.)
country comparison to the world: 129


Natural gas - exports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 76


Natural gas - imports:
0 cu m (2011 est.)
country comparison to the world: 171


Natural gas - proved reserves:
999.5 billion cu m (1 January 2012 est.)
country comparison to the world: 27


Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy:
289,800 Mt (2011 est.)

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use:
29,900 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 176


Telephones - mobile cellular:
4.2 million (2012)
country comparison to the world: 119


Telephone system:
general assessment:inadequate system of radiotelephone communication stations with high costs and low telephone density
domestic:fixed-line connections for less than 1 per 100 persons coupled with mobile-cellular subscribership base of only about 35 per 100 persons
international:country code - 235; satellite earth station - 1 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean) (2011)



    Broadcast media:
1 state-owned TV station; state-owned radio network, Radiodiffusion Nationale Tchadienne (RNT), operates national and regional stations; about 10 private radio stations; some stations rebroadcast programs from international broadcasters (2007)


Internet country code:
.td


Internet hosts:
6 (2012)
country comparison to the world: 229


Internet users:
168,100 (2009)
country comparison to the world: 145

Transportation

Airports
59 (2013)
country comparison to the world: 82


Airports - with paved runways
total:9
over 3,047 m:2
2,438 to 3,047 m:4
1,524 to 2,437 m:2
under 914 m:1 (2013)


Airports - with unpaved runways
total:50
over 3,047 m:1
2,438 to 3,047 m:2
1,524 to 2,437 m:14
914 to 1,523 m:22
under 914 m:
11 (2013)


    Pipelines
oil 582 km (2013)


Roadways
total:40,000 kmcountry comparison to the world: 87
note:consists of 25,000 km of national and regional roads and 15,000 km of local roads; 206 km of urban roads are paved (2011)


Waterways

Military

Military branches
Chadian National Army (Armee Nationale du Tchad, ANT): Ground Forces (l'Armee de Terre, AdT), Chadian Air Force (l'Armee de l'Air Tchadienne, AAT), National Gendarmerie, National and Nomadic Guard of Chad (GNNT) (2013)


Military service age and obligation
20 is the legal minimum age for compulsory military service, with a 3-year service obligation; 18 is the legal minimum age for voluntary service; no minimum age restriction for volunteers with consent from a parent or guardian; women are subject to 1 year of compulsory military or civic service at age of 21 (2012)


Manpower available for military service
males age 16-49:2,090,244
females age 16-49:2,441,321 (2010 est.)


    Manpower fit for military service
males age 16-49:1,183,242
females age 16-49:1,395,811 (2010 est.)


Manpower reaching militarily significant age annually
male:128,723
female:128,244 (2010 est.)


Military expenditures
NA% (2012)
2.28% of GDP (2011)
NA% (2010)

Transnational Issues

Disputes - international
since 2003, ad hoc armed militia groups and the Sudanese military have driven hundreds of thousands of Darfur residents into Chad; Chad wishes to be a helpful mediator in resolving the Darfur conflict, and in 2010 established a joint border monitoring force with Sudan, which has helped to reduce cross-border banditry and violence; only Nigeria and Cameroon have heeded the Lake Chad Commission's admonition to ratify the delimitation treaty, which also includes the Chad-Niger and Niger-Nigeria boundaries


    Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin):352,948 (Sudan); 110,000 (Central African Republic) (2014)
IDPs:90,000 (majority are in the east) (2013)



Trafficking in persons

 Information/ Data by CIA - The World Factbook

LookForAttorney.com | Country Guide of Rwanda

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