Country Profile: Rwanda

Rwanda is a small, landlocked country in Central Africa, predominantly characterized by its rugged hills and fertile volcanic soil. With a population of approximately 13.6 million, it is one of Africa's most densely populated nations. The economy has experienced significant growth in recent years, driven by public investments, although it still faces challenges from the impacts of past conflicts and ongoing poverty. Governance is marked by a presidential republic under the leadership of President Paul Kagame, who has been in power since 2000.

Geography

Rwanda is located in central Africa, bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The country spans an area of 26,338 square kilometers, making it slightly smaller than Maryland. The terrain is primarily mountainous, with the highest point being Volcan Karisimbi at 4,519 meters. Rwanda's climate is temperate, featuring two rainy seasons.

Area: 26,338 sq km
Elevation: Mean elevation of 1,598 m
Natural Resources: Gold, cassiterite, wolframite, methane, hydropower
Agricultural Land: 81.3% of total land area (2022 est.)
Major Lakes: Lake Kivu (2,220 sq km)

People and Society

Rwanda has an estimated population of 13,623,302 as of 2024, with a youthful demographic where around 37.2% are aged 0-14 years. The majority of the population identifies as Hutu, with Tutsi and Twa minorities. Kinyarwanda is the predominant language spoken, while Christianity is the major religion, representing nearly 95.9% of the population.

Population Growth Rate: 1.62% (2024 est.)
Urbanization Rate: 17.9% of the total population (2023)
Literacy Rate: 79% (2022 est.)
Median Age: 20.8 years (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy: 66.6 years (2024 est.)

Economy

Rwanda's economy is one of the fastest-growing in Sub-Saharan Africa, with its GDP expected to reach $46.543 billion by 2024. The economy has been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic but is recovering with an estimated growth rate of 8.9% for 2024. The agricultural sector plays a critical role, contributing 24.6% to the GDP.

Real GDP per Capita: $3,300 (2024 est.)
Unemployment Rate: 12% (2024 est.)
Poverty Rate: 38.2% (2016 est.)
Major Exports: Gold, coffee, tea, tin ores
Inflation Rate: 1.8% (2024 est.)

Government

Rwanda operates as a presidential republic, with a political system shaped by the aftermath of the 1994 genocide. The government consists of a bicameral parliament and a president who is elected for a five-year term. The current president, Paul Kagame, has been in power since 2000.

Capital: Kigali
Legal System: Mixed system based on civil law and customary law
Independence: Gained on July 1, 1962
Suffrage: Universal at age 18
Major Political Parties: Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), Liberal Party (PL), Democratic Green Party of Rwanda (DGPR)

Military and Security

The Rwanda Defense Force (RDF) comprises the Army, Air Force, and other specialized units, with about 30,000 to 35,000 active personnel. Military expenditures are approximately 1.3% of GDP. Rwanda has a history of military engagement in regional conflicts, particularly in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Military Expenditures: 1.3% of GDP (2024 est.)
Military Deployments: Approximately 3,200 personnel in the Central African Republic
Conscription: Voluntary military service from age 18

Energy

Approximately 50.6% of Rwanda's population has access to electricity, with urban areas seeing a higher rate of 98% compared to 38.2% in rural locales. The country's energy generation is predominantly from hydroelectric sources.

Installed Electricity Capacity: 294,000 kW (2023 est.)
Electricity Consumption: 876.401 million kWh (2023 est.)
Renewable Sources: Hydroelectricity accounts for 52.8% of total capacity

Environment

Rwanda faces several environmental challenges, including deforestation, land degradation, and loss of biodiversity. The government is a party to multiple international environmental agreements aimed at addressing these issues.

Natural Hazards: Periodic droughts and volcanic activity
Environmental Agreements: Party to several conventions on biodiversity and climate change

Transportation

Rwanda has a basic transportation infrastructure, including 8 airports planned for 2025, and a focus on improving connectivity within the country.

Civil Aircraft Registration Code: 9XR

Communications

Rwanda is progressively enhancing its communications infrastructure, which includes over 12.8 million mobile cellular subscriptions as of 2023.

Telephone Subscriptions: 8,000 fixed lines (2023 est.)
Internet Usage: 34% of the population (2023 est.)
Fixed Broadband Subscriptions: 62,000 (2023 est.)

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	13,623,302	2024 estimate
Area	26,338 sq km
GDP	$46.543 billion	2024 estimate (PPP)
Energy Consumption	1.808 million Btu/person	2023 estimate
Birth Rate	25 births/1,000 population	2024 estimate
Unemployment Rate	12%	2024 estimate
Life Expectancy	66.6 years	2024 estimate
Literacy Rate	79%	2022 estimate
Agricultural Land	81.3%	2022 estimate
Military Expenditures	1.3% of GDP	2024 estimate