Africa
Living in Rwanda
Photo: Savanna with antelope in Akagera National Park · Emery045, CC BY-SA 4.0 · source
A small, hilly, landlocked East African country with a mild highland climate, very clean streets and a fast-growing capital. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate19° to 21°CColdest and warmest month averages, Kigali · 2020
Average temperature19.8°CKigali (whole country 19.2°C) · 2020
Price level26%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$231Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2025
Income per person$4,200GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment11.4%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides3.6Per 100,000 people a year · 2020
Life expectancy68.0 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air36 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest26%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers31%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue12.7%Of GDP · 2024
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: Kinyarwanda, English, French. English is an official language.
- Public transport: Limited: daily life mostly needs a car or taxis.
- Geography: Landlocked, with mountain areas. Capital: Kigali.
Moving to Rwanda
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: www.migration.gov.rw.
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 4,164.44 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 11.36 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 3.61 per 100,000 people | 2020 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | 0.12 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | 0.36 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 68.02 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 52.66 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 12.69 % of GDP | 2024 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 30.91 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 26.09 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 36.01 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.26 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 231.1 international $ per person per month | 2025 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 19.2 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 19.8 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 18.8 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 20.8 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 1,292 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Kigali are 2001–2020 averages.
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