Country profile

Geography
Rwanda is a landlocked country situated in central Africa, covering an area of 26,340 square km divided into 10 prefectures or provinces.

Neighbouring countries include: Burundi, Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania and Uganda. Most of the country is savannah grassland with rolling hills, rivers and lakes. Its rivers feed the Nile.

To download a map of Rwanda click here. (200Kb PDF)

Population
Total population as of July 2003 is 7,810,056, of which 8% live in urban areas. (Demographic breakdown is based on research undertaken before the genocide.)

Population density is 280.9 persons per square km. Ethnic composition: Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15% and Pygmoid Twa 1%.

Today in Rwanda the government does not encourage people to talk about ethnic groups, rather they believe the country should be built as one, without reference to race or tribe.

Rwanda is the most densely populated country in Africa.

Economy
Rwanda is a rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. Subsistence means that people have just enough to eat, but do not have spare money for luxury items that are taken for granted in the west.

As Rwanda is landlocked, it has few natural resources and negligible industry. Primary exports are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide severely affected Rwanda’s economy, impoverished the already struggling population and destroyed the countries chances of attracting outside investment.

In the last decade however, Rwanda has made progress in rebuilding its economy. GDP has rebounded, and inflation has been curbed.

Education
The civil war has been very disruptive to education. Few were attending school in the latter 1990s. Education is free and compulsory from ages 7 through 15, but at primary levels only about one-third of the children complete their schooling.

Literacy
Female 64.7%, male 76.3%.

Health
Health conditions in Rwanda are poor. AIDS is a major problem, poor sanitation is common, and malaria and tuberculosis are prevalent among other diseases. The health system is greatly under-resourced.

Art
Story-telling, weaving, basketry. Skill and expressiveness displayed in basket weaving indicates a family's social status. The pygmy Twa are traditional potters.

Music
Homemade xylophones, stringed instruments, drums; singing and dancing accompany ceremonies associated with birth, marriage, death, harvest, and hunting.

Sport and Games
Soccer (called football in Rwanda) is Rwanda's most popular sport. Basketball and volleyball are also becoming increasingly popular.

Typical Foods
Bananas, legumes, sweet potatoes, maize, cassava, potatoes.

Statistical Snapshot

• Capital: Kigali
• Population:7.8 million
• Language: French, English, Kinyarwanda
• Religion: Catholic (65%), Protestant (9%), Islam, Indigenous beliefs
• Literacy rate, male/female: 76/64
• Access to safe water: Urban: unknown, Rural: 79%
• Access to adequate sanitation: Urban: unknown, Rural: 85%
• Climate: Cool and pleasant, Rainy season October-May
• Urbanization: 6%
• Life expectancy: 36
• Under 5 mortality rate: 170/1000
• GNP per capita: $180
• Monetary Unit: Franc

To find out more about Rwanda click here.

Sources: SBS World Guide
1998 State of the World's Children, UNICEF.

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