People and Society of Rwanda

Nationality

Rwandan(s)

Ethnic Groups

Hutu 84%, Tutsi 15%, Twa (Pygmoid) 1%

Population

14,094,683

Population in Major Urban Areas

KIGALI (capital) 1.004 million

There are very few emergency municipal response services. Ambulances are available in Kigali through SAMU by calling 912 from any mobile phone, or through King Faisal Hospital at 078 830 9003. Ambulance service is basic and works solely as transportation, usually with no medical treatment involved. The ambulance companies expect payment either up front or upon delivery. They charge an initial 5,000 Rwandan Francs (RWF),then an addition charge per kilometer traveled. Outside of Kigali, ambulances are extremely scarce. Medical and dental facilities are limited, and some medicines are in short supply or unavailable; you should carry your own supply of properly-labeled medications to cover your entire stay. In Kigali, King Faisal Hospital is a private facility that offers 24-hour assistance with physicians and nurses on duty in the emergency room. There are several dental clinics and a few private dentists. Charitable hospitals run by U.S. organizations with some surgical facilities can be found in Kibagora, in southwestern Rwanda, in Ruhengeri, near the gorilla trekking area, and in Rwinkwavu, near the entrance to Akagera National Park. Medical care in Rwanda is not practiced on the same standard one would expect in the US. There are some western trained physicians but many are locally trained where the standard of medical education is not on par with the United States. The U.S. Embassy maintains a current list of healthcare providers and facilities in Rwanda on its website. There are periodic outbreaks of meningitis in Rwanda, and the meningitis vaccine is recommended if you are traveling during the dry season, May-October. Yellow fever can cause serious medical problems, but the vaccine is very effective in preventing the disease. The yellow fever vaccine is required for all travelers over 9 months of age, and travelers who cannot show proof of vaccination will not be permitted to enter Rwanda. Tuberculosis (TB) is an increasingly serious health concern in Rwanda. For further information, please consult the CDC's information on TB. Malaria is endemic to Rwanda. We strongly encourage U.S. citizens visiting Rwanda to take prophylactic medications to prevent malaria. These should be initiated prior to entry into the endemic area. Many malaria prophylactic medicines are not available in Rwanda and, because of possible counterfeit of anti-malarial medications, these should be obtained from a reliable pharmaceutical source before arrival. Multiple outbreaks of Ebola have been reported in neighboring DRCin 2007 and Uganda in 2008, but none within Rwanda. Rabies is present throughout the country. All bites, scratches, and licks should be taken seriously and post-exposure rabies treatment sought. Pre-exposure rabies immunization is recommended for long-term travelers, and those adventure travelers who will be more than 24 hours away from reliable post-exposure treatment. Post exposure treatment for rabies is not always reliably available. Schistosomiasis, transmitted by waterborne larvae that penetrate intact skin, presents significant risk throughout the country. All fresh water lakes in the area should be considered contaminated. You should avoid swimming or wading in Lake Kivu and all freshwater exposure.

Life Expectancy at Birth

Life expectancy at birth in Rwanda has undergone one of the most dramatic improvements of any country in modern history. From the devastating aftermath of the 1994 genocide, which saw life expectancy collapse to an estimated 28 years, Rwanda has rebuilt its health system and population outcomes with remarkable speed and determination. As of the most recent data available, life expectancy at birth in Rwanda stands at approximately 69–70 years overall, with women living slightly longer than men — roughly 71–72 years for females compared to around 67–68 years for males. This represents an extraordinary recovery and reflects sustained gains across multiple decades. Several factors have driven this improvement. Rwanda has made significant investments in community-based health care, expanding a network of trained community health workers across rural areas who provide basic services, health education, and disease prevention at the village level. The country has achieved high vaccination coverage rates and made considerable progress in reducing infant and child mortality, both of which directly influence life expectancy calculations. The reduction of deaths from HIV/AIDS has also played a major role. Rwanda launched one of Africa's most effective antiretroviral treatment programs, dramatically lowering AIDS-related mortality. Similarly, sustained campaigns against malaria, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases have helped extend average lifespans. Rwanda's community-based health insurance scheme, known as Mutuelle de Santé, has expanded access to care across lower-income populations and contributed meaningfully to these outcomes. Maternal health improvements have contributed as well. Skilled birth attendance rates have risen sharply, and maternal mortality — while still a challenge — has declined significantly from its post-genocide peak. Under-five child mortality has also fallen considerably, reflecting broader gains in nutrition, immunization coverage, and access to primary care services. Rwanda's performance on life expectancy now places it among the better-performing nations in sub-Saharan Africa. The government's long-term development strategy, Vision 2050, continues to target improvements in health outcomes as a central pillar of national development. Ongoing challenges include a rising burden of non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and diabetes, limited access to specialized medical care in rural areas, and persistent inequalities between urban and rural populations. The health ministry is actively working to address these issues through expanded insurance coverage, increased health infrastructure investment, and continued strengthening of the community health worker network.

Infant Mortality Rate

Rwanda has made remarkable strides in reducing infant mortality over the past two decades, transforming from one of the highest rates in the world to a country often cited as a model for health system improvement in sub-Saharan Africa. The infant mortality rate — defined as the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births — stood at approximately 26 deaths per 1,000 live births as of the most recent available data, a dramatic improvement from rates exceeding 100 per 1,000 live births recorded in the early 2000s. This decline is the result of sustained government investment in community-based healthcare, widespread immunization campaigns, improved access to skilled birth attendants, and the expansion of the Community Health Worker program, which places trained health workers in villages throughout the country. These workers provide basic maternal and child health services, monitor pregnancies, and promote early treatment of common infant illnesses such as malaria, pneumonia, and diarrheal disease — three of the leading causes of infant death in the region. Rwanda's health insurance scheme, known as Mutuelle de Santé, has significantly increased access to affordable care for low-income families, contributing to higher rates of facility-based deliveries and postnatal checkups. The country has also prioritized malnutrition prevention and exclusive breastfeeding promotion, both of which directly impact newborn survival rates. Despite this progress, challenges remain. Infants born in rural and remote areas still face higher mortality risks due to geographic barriers, limited infrastructure, and delays in reaching emergency care. Neonatal mortality — deaths occurring within the first 28 days of life — continues to represent a significant share of total infant deaths, with complications during delivery and infections accounting for many of these cases. Rwanda's trajectory in reducing infant mortality is widely regarded as one of the most significant public health achievements on the African continent, and the country continues to set ambitious targets under its national health sector strategic plans to further reduce preventable infant deaths.

Major Infectious Diseases

very high

Literacy Definition

age 15 and over can read and write

Classroom

The heavy war that took place in Rwanda destroyed the schools infrastructure. Many describe schools as simply shells consisting of walls with gaping holes or doors and windows which do not have any grills or window panes. Many school buildings were also destroyed so it is not strange to find other children learning under trees. On average the teacher student ratio in many primary schools is about 1:80. When it comes to supplies needed to facilitate learning, the priority is basically pen and paper, with children sharing text books due to the scarcity in many rural schools. Most children will learn about computers in high school or college. There is however a lot of rehabilitation especially where infrastructure is involved thanks to assistance from the international community.

Learning

School normally begins at 8:00 am with a regular routine of cleaning up the compound by picking all the garbage before going for assembly where the teachers on duty will make announcements and do a routine check up for hygiene. The teacher will check for which children may not be in a semblance of uniform, did not cut their nails, or their hair is unkempt. These children may get a punishment, which involves receiving strokes of the cane. The regular lessons are 35 minutes long and subjects are taught either in French or in the local language for the elementary classes. There is usually a short break at 10:00 or 10:30 am of 10 to 30 minutes in length. There are likely to be no balls at the break so boys will fashion their own soccer balls using plastic bags which they bundle together by using twine. After a second session of classes children will break for lunch which takes about one hour. Many schools supply lunch which consists of plantain bananas and groundnut sauce. In the schools where this is not provided, most children will go without a meal as they wait for the afternoon lessons. Teachers usually have to do with the few supplies that are available and most of the time they improvise in order to have any teaching aids. The basic teaching materials the teacher will get are a few text books and they have to improvise ways in which they will be shared among the students. There is currently a great deal of emphasis from various organizations to jump start the education programs through provision of some basic salaries because teachers are de-motivated due to small and irregular payments. The afternoon session begins at 2:00 pm and will end at about 3:30 pm. For the children in the upper classes there will be one more period where some extra curricular activities are undertaken, but this is more often than not done once or twice a week. Extra curricular activities usually include dance, music, drama, debating or anything that the environment may allow. As soon as school is over, the children will begin the long trek home getting home as late as 5:30 pm. The first assignment for them at home is to pick up the water containers and rush to the river to replenish the water supply at home. It is during this trip to the river that most of them will take their bath and run back home with 20 liter water containers balanced on their heads. The older children will have the responsibility of bathing their younger siblings since their parents are likely to be busy working in the farm.

To School

School is likely to begin anywhere between 7:30 and 8:00 am so most children will leave home at about 6:30 am since there is no organized school transport, for the long trek to school. On many occasions however, it is not surprising for more than half the children to come to school on an empty stomach since there may not be any food back at home. For some of them the only hope will be a school meal where that is made available. School dropout rates are high where meals are not offered in poor neighborhoods.

• Roman Catholic56.5%
• Protestant26.0%
• Adventist11.1%
• Muslim4.6%
• none1.7%
• indigenous beliefs0.1%

Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers

• Bantu
• English
• French
• Kinyarwanda
• Swahili

Crime Information

Pick-pocketing in crowded public places is common, as is petty theft from cars, hotel rooms, and other public places, including churches. Smart phones and other portable/mobile electronics are particularly targeted by thieves. Although violent crimes such as carjacking, robbery, rape, and home invasion occur in Rwanda, they are rarely committed against foreigners. The Embassy has also noted an increase in reported residential burglary attempts throughout Kigali. Burglars may break and enter or attempt to trick domestic staff into allowing them unimpeded entrance. You are advised to remain alert, exercise caution, and follow appropriate personal security measures. U.S. citizens who reside in Rwanda should also ensure that their domestic staff understands these measures. Don’t buy counterfeit and pirated goods, even if they are widely available. Not only are counterfeit and pirated goods illegal in the United States, if you purchase them you may also be breaking local law.

Criminal Penalties

While you are traveling in Rwanda, you are subject to its laws. Foreign laws and legal systems can be vastly different than our own and criminal penalties will vary from country to country. There are also some things that might be legal in the country you visit, but still illegal in the United States. You can be prosecuted under U.S. law if you buy pirated goods. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country are crimes prosecutable in the United States. Rwanda has strictly enforced laws on appropriate speech regarding the genocide. If you break local laws in Rwanda, your U.S. passport won’t help you avoid arrest or prosecution. It’s very important to know what’s legal and what’s not wherever you are. Persons violating Rwandan laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Rwanda are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines. Please see our information on U.S. Criminal Penalties. Based on the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations, bilateral agreements with certain countries, and customary international law, if you are arrested in Rwanda you have the option to request that the police, prison officials, or other authorities alert the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate of your arrest, and to have communications from you forwarded to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.