Population growth in Rwanda
Rwanda: Population growth was 2.2% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Population growth in Rwanda, 1961–2025
Source: World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division. Measured in annual %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for population growth in Rwanda is 2.2%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 1.3% on the previous year and down 9.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population growth in Rwanda peaked at 16.8% in 1996 and was at its lowest, -18.0%, in 1995.
Rwanda ranks 40th of 215 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 2.7% | 2.3% | 3.1% | 9 |
| 1970s | 3.0% | 2.9% | 3.0% | 10 |
| 1980s | 3.3% | 3.1% | 3.4% | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.3% | -18.0% | 16.8% | 10 |
| 2000s | 2.1% | 0.8% | 2.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.4% | 2.3% | 2.5% | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.2% | 2.1% | 2.2% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More climate change data for Rwanda
- Population, total 14.57 million (2025)
- Urban population growth 5.6% (2025)
- Urban population 4.50 million (2025)
- Urban population 30.9% (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 9.1% (2025)
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total 0.61 billion cubic meters (2022)
- Annual freshwater withdrawals, total 6.4% (2022)
- Terrestrial protected areas 9.1% (2025)
- Terrestrial and marine protected areas 9.1% (2025)
- CPIA public sector management and institutions cluster average 3.9 1=low to 6=high (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population growth in Rwanda?
- Population growth in Rwanda was 2.2% in 2025, according to World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division.
- What is the highest population growth recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 16.8% in 1996.
- What is the lowest population growth recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was -18.0% in 1995.
- How does Rwanda rank for population growth?
- Rwanda ranks 40th out of 215 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population growth rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda data come from?
- The figures come from World Population Prospects, United Nations (UN), note: Derived from total population, publisher: UN Population Division, published as part of Population growth (annual %). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.