Capital: Kigali
Population
Total Population:
14,569,341
Natural Increase:
2.2%
Density:
566 Inhabitants/km²
Urban Population:
30.9%
Population of main cities including suburbs:
Kigali (859,400); Gisenyi (136,900); Ruhengeri (59,400); Butare (50,300); Gitarama (49,100); Byumba (34,600); Cyangugu (27,500); Nyanza (25,500); Bugarama (24,700); Kayonza (21,500)
Ethnic Origins:
The main ethnic groups in Rwanda are Hutu (Bantu), Tutsi (Hamitic) and Twa (Pygmy).
Official Language:
Rwanda has three official languages: Kinyarwanda (the first language of almost the entire population of the country), French and English.
Other Languages Spoken:
Swahili (Kiswahili) may soon become the fourth official language of Rwanda. Several dialects are spoken in the country, mainly deriving from Rwanda-Rundi and Bantu languages.
Business Language(s):
Mainly French. English is also spoken for business purposes (mainly with foreigners, alongside Kinyarwanda (within nationals).
Literacy Rate:
64.9%
Local Time:
It is %T:%M %A In Kigali
Country Overview
Area:
26,338 km²
Type of State:
Rwanda is a presidential republic.
Type of Economy:
Low-income, primarily agricultural economy dependent on international aid.
Rwanda is experiencing robust growth, driven by the services sector and public investment in infrastructure, which contributes to economic diversification.
HDI*:
0.578/1
HDI (World Rank):
160/192
Note: (*) The HDI, Human Development Index, measures a country's development in terms of quality of life. It mainly takes into account life expectancy, level of education and GDP per capita.
Telecommunication
Telephone Code:
To call from the Rwanda, dial 00
To call the Rwanda, dial +250
Internet Suffix:
.rw
Households with a computer:
2.5 per 100 Inhabitants
Mobile phone subscriptions:
91.5 per 100 Inhabitants
Internet Users:
34.2 per 100 Inhabitants
Access to Electricity:
63.9% of the Population
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Latest Update: July 2026
Rwanda: Introduction
