Rwanda: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Rwanda — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
12,301,939
#76 of 197 countries
Area
26,338 km²
#150 of 248 countries
Density
467.1 / km²
#25 of 245 countries

Rwanda has a population of 12,301,939 spread across 26,338 km², giving it an average density of 467.1 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Population Density Map

Population density map of Rwanda
< 5 25–100 500–1k 2.5k–5k > 10k / km²

Most Populous Cities

Kigali
1,132,686
3567 / km²
Ruhengeri
153,368
5203 / km²
Nyagatare
100,000
2274 / km²
Butare
62,823
1779 / km²
Kibuye, Rwanda
48,024
1775 / km²
Rwamagana
47,203
2828 / km²
Kibungo
46,240
1045 / km²
Cyangugu
43,866
2236 / km²
Shyorongi
43,744
570 / km²
Byumba
43,134
4962 / km²

Demographics

Median Age
21.3
Life Expectancy
66.6 yrs
Literacy Rate
78.8%
Government
presidential republic
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Rwanda is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 30% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$1,027
Cost of Living
30% of US
Inflation
19.8%
Inequality
43.7
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$3,300
Unemployment
12.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 11.0% of Rwanda's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism Revenue
$212,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
11.0%
Air Passengers
1,537,008
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Rwanda has 0.09 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.09/1k
Hospital Beds
0.75/1k
Health Spend
$53/person
Infant Mortality
30.5/1k
Immunization
97%
Safe Drinking Water
61.4%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
81.3%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Rwanda, 34% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 91 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
34.2%
Mobile Subs
91/100
Broadband
0.5/100
Electricity Access
63.9%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data