Since the tragedy of the 1994 genocide, Rwanda has made remarkable progress, with at least one million people lifted out of poverty over recent years.

Yet while lives are steadily improving, Rwanda remains one of the world’s poorest countries, with nearly 60 per cent of the population living below the poverty line.

While many in Rwanda rely on agriculture to survive, changing weather patterns, poverty and poor investment make farming difficult. With more than one in four children malnourished, we’re working to improve agriculture practices while providing shelter, relief supplies and access to clean water in the country’s most affected communities.

The devastating legacy of civil conflict had a disproportionate impact on women and girls. We’re working to improve the lives of women through HIV/AIDS prevention programs, community-assisted shelter projects and promotion of women’s agricultural production.

Fast Facts

Population: 12.99 million
Life expectancy: 60.1 years (58.5 years male, 61.7 years female) (2016 est.)
Infant mortality: 56.8 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)
Under-5 mortality*: 42 deaths/1,000 live births (2015 est.)
Maternal mortality: 290 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)
Adult literacy rate: 70.5% (73.2% male, 68% female) (2015 est.)
Access to improved drinking water: 76.1% (86.6% urban, 71.9% rural)
Access to improved sanitation: 61.6% (58.5% urban, 62.9% rural)
Labour force participation rate^: 85% male, 86% female (2014 est.)
Percentage of seats held by women in national parliament^: 64%
GDP per capita: $1,800 (2015 est.)

Source: CIA World Factbook, *UNICEF, ^World Bank

Donate now

Support our ongoing work to create a more equal world.

Your donation can help end extreme poverty and give people the means to build a better future for themselves in countries like Rwanda.

For those living in extreme poverty, your support brings education and training, healthcare and clean water, nutritious food, and new ways to earn an income. And in times of crisis, you help us deliver emergency relief.