Rwanda has experienced significant population growth over the past several decades. Following the 1994 genocide, the country's population rebounded rapidly, driven by high fertility rates and improvements in healthcare and life expectancy. According to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, the population increased from about 7.1 million in 2000 to approximately 13.2 million in 2022. This growth has made Rwanda one of the most densely populated countries in Africa. The government has responded with policies aimed at managing population growth and promoting sustainable development, including investments in family planning, education, and economic opportunities. Despite these efforts, the youthful demographic structure continues to contribute to a high annual growth rate, posing both challenges and opportunities for Rwanda’s future development.
| Year | Population | Population Density Per Square KM |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 2,439,435 | 98.9 |
| 1955 | 2,698,272 | 109.4 |
| 1960 | 3,031,804 | 122.9 |
| 1965 | 3,264,640 | 132.3 |
| 1970 | 3,769,171 | 152.8 |
| 1975 | 4,356,863 | 176.6 |
| 1980 | 5,137,743 | 208.3 |
| 1985 | 6,025,284 | 244.3 |
| 1990 | 7,140,915 | 289.5 |
| 1995 | 5,384,523 | 218.3 |
| 2000 | 8,047,103 | 326.2 |
| 2005 | 8,842,457 | 358.5 |
| 2010 | 9,923,423 | 402.3 |
| 2015 | 11,375,693 | 461.2 |
| 2020 | 12,709,485 | 515.2 |
| 2022 | 13,173,730 | 534 |
| 2023 | 13,400,541 | 543.2 |
| 2024 | 13,623,302 | 552.3 |
| 2025 | 13,848,766 | 561.4 |
| 2030 | 14,972,757 | 607 |
| 2035 | 16,065,002 | 651.2 |
| 2040 | 17,142,030 | 694.9 |
| 2045 | 18,177,389 | 736.9 |
| 2050 | 19,133,170 | 775.6 |
| 2055 | 19,985,031 | 810.2 |
| 2060 | 20,728,494 | 840.3 |
| 2065 | 21,366,268 | 866.2 |
| 2070 | 21,901,286 | 887.8 |
| 2075 | 22,328,906 | 905.2 |
| 2080 | 22,639,761 | 917.8 |
| 2085 | 22,824,274 | 925.3 |
| 2090 | 22,876,818 | 927.4 |
| 2095 | 22,799,107 | 924.2 |
| 2100 | 22,600,440 | 916.2 |
Data from US Census International Database