Reuters AlertNet Full site
Homepage | Newsdesk | NGO Latest | Crisis briefings | Country profiles | MediaWatch | Jobs | Alerting | Login
Rwanda legacy

Last reviewed: 13-11-2008

Rwanda
Print full profile
BASIC FACTS
Small country map
© 2004 Europa Technologies Ltd.

Capital
Kigali

Language
Kinyarwanda, English and French (all official)
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Area size
24670 sq. km

Area comparison
Slightly smaller than the Netherlands

Population
2009 10.0 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007 9.4 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006 9.3 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2005 9.2 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2004 9.1 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2003 8.9 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2002 8.8 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2001 8.5 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2000 8.2 million U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
22.1 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)


PEOPLE

Language
Kinyarwanda, English and French (all official)
Source: New Internationalist World Guide

Population
2009 10.0 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2009)
2007 9.4 million U.N. Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA) Population Division (2006)
2006 9.3 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2005 9.2 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2004 9.1 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2003 8.9 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2002 8.8 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2001 8.5 million U.N. DESA (2006)
2000 8.2 million U.N. DESA (2006)

Future population estimates
22.1 million (2050)
Source: U.N. DESA (2009)

Ethnic groups
Hutu 84 percent, Tutsi 15 percent, Twa 1 percent
Source: NI World Guide

Religion
The majority of the population practises traditional African religions (69 percent). There are also Catholics (20 percent), Protestants (10 percent) and Muslims (1 percent).
Source: NI World Guide

Percentage urban population
2007 21.1 percent U.N. DESA - World Urbanisation Prospects 2005
2006 20.2 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2005 19.3 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2004 18.5 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2003 17.6 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2002 16.7 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2001 15.2 percent U.N. DESA (2005)
2000 13.8 percent U.N. DESA (2005)

Year women granted right to vote
1961
Source: U.N. Development Programme (UNDP) Human Development Report
Where two figures are shown, the first refers to a partial recognition of the right to vote and the second to the year women received the right to vote on a universal and equal basis.

Net percentage of girls enrolled in primary education
No data available (2006)

Percentage of population under 15
2005 43.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 44.1 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 44.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 45.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 45.3 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 44.3 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002


USEFUL INFORMATION

Time zone
GMT +2

Climate description
Rainy seasons from February to May and October to November, dry season from June to September.

Currency
Rwanda franc

Telephone dialling code
(+) 250

Driving (left/right)
Right


STANDARD OF LIVING

Average life expectancy
2005 45.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 44.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 43.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 38.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 38.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 40.2 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - male
2005 43.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 42.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 42.1 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 38.4 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 37.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 39.4 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Life expectancy - female
2005 46.7 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 45.8 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 45.6 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 39.4 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 38.7 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 40.9 years UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Infant mortality
2007 109 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006 98 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005 118 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2007
2004 118 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003 118 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 96 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 96 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 100 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Child mortality - deaths before the age of five
2007 181 per 1,000 live births U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2006 160 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
2005 203 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
2004 203 per 1,000 live births UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
2003 203 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 183 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 183 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 187 per 1,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Births attended by skilled personnel
1997-2005 39 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1996-2004 31 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1995-2003 31 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002 31 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001 31 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000 31 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Maternal mortality
2005 1300 per 100,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2000 1400 per 100,000 live births UNDP - Human Development Report 2006

Human development index (HDI rank)
2005 161 UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 158 UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 159 UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 159 UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 158 UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 162 UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of children under weight for age (under age 5)
2000-2007 23 percent U.N. Children's Fund (UNICEF) - State of the World's Children 2009
2000-2006 23 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2008
1996-2005 23 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2007
1996-2004 27 percent UNICEF - State of the World's Children 2006
1995-2003 27 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1995-2002 27 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1995-2001 24 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
1995-2000 29 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Percentage of undernourished population
2003-2005 40 percent U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2008
2002-2004average 33 percent U.N. Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) 2006
2001-2003average 36 percent FAO 2006

Food intake falls below the minimum requirement.

Population with access to improved water
2006 65 percent UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004 74 percent UNICEF and World Health Organisation (WHO) 2006
2002 73 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000 41 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Population with access to improved sanitation
2006 23 percent UNICEF and WHO 2008
2004 42 percent UNICEF and WHO 2006
2002 41 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2000 8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004

Literacy - average
2004 64.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 64.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 69.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 68.0 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 66.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - male
2004 71.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 70.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 75.3 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 74.5 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 73.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Literacy - female
2004 59.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 58.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2002 63.4 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2001 61.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003
2000 60.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2002

Landlines telephones
2008 2 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 2 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 2 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Cellular telephone subscribers
2008 136 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 67 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 34 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 25 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 16 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 15 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 10 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 8 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 5 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Internet users
2008 30 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2007 21 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2006 11 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2005 6 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2004 4 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2003 4 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2002 3 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2001 2 per 1,000 people ITU 2009
2000 0.6 per 1,000 people ITU 2009

Transparency International corruption ranking (Scale: 1 = least corrupt, >175 = most corrupt)
2008 102 (joint) Transparency International 2008
2007 111 (joint) Transparency International 2007
2006 121 (joint) Transparency International
2005 83 (joint) Transparency International
2004 Not ranked
2003 Not ranked
2002 Not ranked Transparency International
2001 Not ranked
2000 Not ranked

Signatory of International Convention on the Prevention and Punishment for the crime of Genocide
Yes (1948)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment
No (1984)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report

Signatory of the Convention on the Rights of the Child
Yes (1989)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report


ECONOMY & AID

Percentage of population living on less than US$1 a day
1990-2005 60.3 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004 51.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003 51.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1990-2002 35.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2001 No data available percent

GNI per capita, Atlas method
2007 320 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 280 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 250 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 210 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 200 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 210 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 220 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 240 current US$ World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

The purpose of the Atlas conversion factor is to reduce the impact of exchange rate fluctuations in a cross-country comparison of national incomes. The Atlas conversion factor for any year is the average of a country's exchange rate (or alternative conversion factor) for that year and its exchange rates for the two preceding years.

GDP
2007 3.3 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 2.9 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 2.4 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 2.0 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 1.8 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 1.6 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 1.7 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 1.7 current US$ billions World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Annual GDP growth
2006 5.3  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2005 6.0  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2004 4.0  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2003 0.9  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2002 9.4  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2001 6.7  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008
2000 6.0  percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2008

Annual inflation
2007 8.9 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2006 13.1 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2005 8.9 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2004 13.1 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2003 21.9 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2002 -5.1 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2001 1.1 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009
2000 -3.0 percent World Bank Data Profile Tables 2009

Share of income or consumption (poorest 10 percent)
2.1 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008

Share of income or consumption (richest 10 percent)
38.2 (latest available year)
Source: UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008


HEALTH

Physicians
2000-2004 5 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
1990-2004 5 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
1990-2003 2 per 100,000 people UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1990-2002 No data available per 100,000 people

Percentage HIV+ (adults aged 15-49)
2007 2.8 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2006 2.9 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2005 3.1 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2004 3.4 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008
2003 3.7 percent U.N. Programme on HIV and AIDS (UNAIDS) 2008

Malaria
Risk from P.falciparum throughout the year in the whole country. Resistance to chloroquine and sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine reported.
Source: WHO

TB cases
2007 397 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2006 408 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2005 418 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2004 423 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2003 419 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2002 402 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2001 376 per 100,000 people WHO 2009
2000 348 per 100,000 people WHO 2009


CONFLICT & MIGRATION

Number of refugees originating here
2008 72530 UNHCR
2007 80955 UNHCR
2006 92966 Office of the U.N. High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR)
2005 100244 UNHCR
2004 63808 UNHCR
2003 75263 UNHCR
2002 75257 UNHCR
2001 84513 UNHCR
2000 119056 UNHCR

Number of refugees residing here
2008 55062 UNHCR
2007 53577 UNHCR
2006 49192 UNHCR
2005 45206 UNHCR
2004 50221 UNHCR
2003 36608 UNHCR
2002 30863 UNHCR
2001 34786 UNHCR
2000 28398 UNHCR

Number of internally displaced people\Estimate
2007 Undetermined Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre (IDMC) 2008

Landmine casualties per year
2007 10 Landmine Monitor Report 2008
2006 15 Landmine Monitor Report 2008
2004 12 Landmine Monitor Report 2005
2003 7 Landmine Monitor Report 2004

Casualty figures may include both civilians and military personnel injured or killed by landmines and unexploded ordnance.
Signatory to landmine convention?
Yes (1997 )
Source: Landmine Monitor Report

Percentage of GDP spent on military
2005 2.9 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2004 2.2 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2003 2.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005

Percentage of GDP spent on education
2002-2005 3.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2002-2004 No data available percent
2000-2002 2.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
1999-2001 2.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
1998-2000 2.8 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003

Percentage of GDP spent on health
2004 4.3 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2007/2008
2003-2004 1.6 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2006
2002 3.1 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2005
2001 3.1 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2004
2000 2.7 percent UNDP - Human Development Report 2003


Print full profile


•  ICRC: Katyn and Switzerland – Forensic investigators and investigations in humanitarian crises, 1920-2007
ICRC - Switzerland

•  Concert For CAREos audience filled Londonos Brixton Academy as top class acts performed to raise funds for CARE International.
CARE International - UK

•  Concert For CAREos audience filled Londonos Brixton Academy as top class acts performed to raise funds for CARE International.
CARE International - UK

•  Conventional Weapons Management and Disposal - global update
MAG - UK

•  Concert for CARE
CARE International - UK

•  Public Health Promoter – Humanitarian Support Professional (HSP) (Oxfam GB)
Oxfam GB - UK

•  RFA Consultants - Teamleaders & Writers
International Rescue Committee

•  Consultants - RFA Teamleaders & Writers
International Rescue Committee


Unlike some other content on this website, the written content in this article may be republished or redistributed by any means free of charge. Any use of photographs and graphics on this website is expressly prohibited. You must check whether written content contained in other articles on this website may be republished or redistributed without the express permission of Reuters or the relevant third party provider.

Related articles


AlertNet for journalists

AlertNet for journalists is a set of tools and services designed to make life easier for reporters, fact-checkers and editors when covering humanitarian emergencies.
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-12-01T034205Z_01_POY0289_RTRIDSP_2_POY_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/POY0289.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-24T045231Z_01_POD058_RTRIDSP_2_POD_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/POD058.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-12T194155Z_01_AFR25_RTRIDSP_2_RWANDA-CRASH_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/AFR25.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-12T193513Z_01_AFR24_RTRIDSP_2_RWANDA-CRASH_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/AFR24.htm
Thumb for /thefacts/imagerepository/RTRPICT/2009-11-12T192041Z_01_AFR23_RTRIDSP_2_RWANDA-CRASH_mainimage.jpg|/thenews/pictures/AFR23.htm

RNPS IMAGES OF THE YEAR 2009 - Rwandan officials look at a Jetlink plane that crashed into the VIP lounge at the Kigali airport November 12, 2009. A Rwandair passenger plane ...



* Denotes mandatory entry      Rate this item *  
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • 5


Name: *     Email: * 
I am: *     


Comments:


Enter the code shown on the left *



Disclaimers |  Copyright |  Privacy |  Contact Us |  Feedback |  About Us |  RSS XML

Last updated:Tue Dec 1 20:05:28 2009