Rwanda has registered an annual population growth rate of 2.3% over the last 10 years, reaching 13,246,394 in August 2022 and is projected to be 23.6 million by 2052. Females represent 51.5% of the population (6,817,068), whereas males represent 48.5% (6,429,326) of the total population.
UNFPA Rwanda uses its comparative advantages to strengthen national and subnational institutions of the government of Rwanda to generate, analyze and use population data to inform planning, policy formulation, implementation and monitoring of interventions in development and humanitarian settings. Disaggregated data are crucial to monitor the progress to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and the Rwanda Vision 2050.
The ninth Country Programme builds on the successes and lessons of the past seven years by strategically focusing on the generation of high-quality, disaggregated data. This commitment ensures that all strategic information directly informs and influences inclusive laws and policy reforms. By leveraging proven program models, we aim to accelerate progress toward the three transformative results. This approach not only supports the realization of the demographic dividend but also maximizes impact and resource efficiency
Areas of support
Technical assistance focusing on strengthening national and subnational capacity for the production, analysis, and use of quality data; achieved through strategic knowledge sharing, including South-South and triangular cooperation, which facilitates the exchange of expertise and proven methodologies between countries. Additionally, UNFPA conducts expertise mapping to identify and mobilize technical resources, ensuring that the right skills are deployed to support key statistical exercises like Population and Housing Census, Civil Registration and Vital Statistics, AND Demographic and Health Surveys among others.
Data systems strengthening: UNFPA support to the Government of Rwanda (through the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda) focuses on strengthening data infrastructure and technology to ensure the production of high-quality, disaggregated data. By enhancing institutional capacity and promoting the use of innovative methodologies, UNFPA works with the country to move toward evidence-based policymaking and fosters a data ecosystem where information is both accurate and actionable
Research and analysis: By conducting studies and evaluations in collaboration with the Government of Rwanda, we identify gaps, measure progress, and understand the specific needs of populations, especially the most vulnerable. This ensures that interventions are not only well-designed but also targeted and impactful, leading to sustainable development outcomes
Capacity building: Capacity-building initiatives are collaboratively designed to enhance both institutional and individual abilities to generate, analyse, disseminate, and effectively use high-quality, disaggregated population data. This strategic approach fosters the development and retention of country-level expertise, enabling the national institute of statistics to independently produce, interpret, and apply demographic evidence for informed policymaking. By investing in local capacity, UNFPA advances long-term self-reliance and sustainability within national statistical systems, ensuring enduring impact beyond external support.
