Rwandan population rises by 25 percent in 10 years to 13.2 million

The census results were released during the 18th edition of the annual National Dialogue Council, locally known as Umushyikirano at Kigali Convention Centre. [James Wanzala, Standard] The Rwandan population has risen by 25 per cent in 10 years to reach 13,246,394 (13.2 million) by December 2022. The population grew at an annual average rate of 2.3 per cent with 312, 743 households with an average of four people per house. This is according to the results of the fifth Population and Housing Census that was released on Monday by the Rwanda Institute of Statistics of Rwanda(NISR). The census was carried out last year in August. The last census was done in 2012, where the population was 10.5 million while in 2002 was 8.1 million, 7.1 million in 1991 and 4.6 million in 1978. The census results were released during the 18th edition of the annual National Dialogue Council, locally known as Umushyikirano at the Kigali Convention Centre. The dialogue, which started Monday, February 27 and ends February 28 brings together participants from the government including President Paul Kagame, Prime Minister Dr Edouard Ngirente, Ministers, parastatal heads, civil society, diplomatic corps, political parties, faith-based organisations, citizens, among other participants to evaluate the past year's development measures to rejuvenate the economy. It also discusses issues affecting Rwanda as a nation, its citizens, governance and national unity among others and try to get a homegrown solution for the issues. Prime Minister, Dr Edouard Ngirente presented a report on the achievements Rwanda has registered over the past two years, since the last national dialogue, which took place in 2019, the impact of Covid-19 as well as inflation. On gender, females are at 51.5 per cent compared to males at 48.5 per cent with a majority (72.1 per cent) living in rural areas and 27.9 per cent in urban areas. According to the census, Eastern province has the highest population at 3.5 million representing 26.9 per cent, followed by Southern at 3 million (22.7), western at 2.9 million (21.9), northern at 2 million(15.4 per cent) and lastly City of Kigali at 1.7 million(13.2 per cent). ''The population of young people below 30 years dropped from 70 per cent in 2012 to 65.3 per cent in 2022 and is expected to be 54.3 per cent by 2050,'' said the census. Those aged between 16 to 64 increased from 53.4 per cent in 2012 to 56 per cent in 2022 and is expected to be 61.4 per cent by 2050. The country projects to grow in population from the current 13.2 million to 16.4 million in 2032, 20 million in 2042 and 24 million in 2052. Life expectancy has improved with Rwandans now living longer up to 69.6 years from 64.5 million in 2012, 51.2 million in 2002,53.7 in 1991 and 46.4 per cent in 1978. The new figures on life expectancy now put Rwanda ahead of its peers in East Africa and sub-Saharan Africa (excluding high-income) as per 2020 World Bank figures, which ranked it at 67. The East African's life expectancy is slightly above 60 years. Tanzanians follow Rwandans at 66 years, Kenya and Uganda tie at 63 years, Burundi at 61 years, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) at 60 years. Life expectancy is lowest in South Sudan at 55 years. Speaking before the release of the census report and after opening the Umushyikirano, President Paul Kagame welcomed the life expectancy increase rate, saying it shows that the measures put in to improve the lives of Rwandans are bearing fruits. ''We have done a lot of development in the past nearly 30 years and now an average Rwandan can live longer and healthier up to 69.6 years old and this is a good average the world over,'' he said Kagame. He added: ''Most households have clean drinking water and electricity has reached many corners of the country and many citizens have now access to services, which used to be very difficult even here in the city many years ago thanks to programmes and policies we have put in place.'' Almost all Rwandese have universal health insurance with a community-based health insurance programme, which is another big achievement that could have contributed to an increase in life expectancy. According to NISR, the current total fertility rate (women aged 15 to 49) is 3.8 in rural areas and 3.2 in urban areas. Eastern Province has the highest fertility rate at 4, followed by South and West at both 3.8, North at 3.3 and Kigali has the lowest at 3. On the literacy level, the population of Rwandans with no education decreased to 22.3 per cent from 25.5 per cent in 2012 and 33.5 per cent in 2002. University-level education increased by 1.4 per cent from 1.9 per cent to 3.3 per cent in 2022 while in 2002 was at 0.5 per cent. On road infrastructure, he said all districts now have good roads that connect them to the capital city of the country.

Rwandan population rises by 25 percent in 10 years to 13.2 million

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Rwandan population rises by 25 percent in 10 years to 13.2 million

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