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Rwanda: Quick Facts

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News •

ADIFF NY 2026 CELEBRATES AFRICAN CINEMA: STORIES OF CULTURE, CHANGE, AND RESILIENCE • Nov. 9, 2026, 1:40 PM ET (The Lousiville Courier-Journal)
European Countries Push, Again, To Deport Migrants to Rwanda • Nov. 6, 2026, 5:00 AM ET (New York Times)
Trump administration will cut South Africa and Rwanda from the AGOA trade program • Nov. 2, 2026, 4:05 PM ET (AP)
What F1’s return to Africa means for a continent long overlooked by global sports • Oct. 20, 2026, 1:06 PM ET (AP)
Congo protests Formula 1's 'indefensible' decision to race in Rwanda • Oct. 15, 2026, 1:12 PM ET (AP)

Facts

Also Known As Ruanda ‱ Republic of Rwanda ‱ Republika y’u Rwanda
Head Of State And Government President: Paul Kagame, assisted by Prime Minister: Justin Nsengiyumva
Capital Kigali
Population (2026 est.) 14,418,000
Form Of Government multiparty republic with two legislative houses (Senate [261]; Chamber of Deputies [802])
Official Languages Rwanda3; French; English; Swahili
Official Religion none
Official Name Repubulika y’u Rwanda (Rwanda); RĂ©publique Rwandaise (French); Republic of Rwanda (English)
Total Area (Sq Km) 26,338
Total Area (Sq Mi) 10,169
Monetary Unit Rwandan franc (RF)
Population Rank (2026) 78
Population Projection 2030 15,476,000
Density: Persons Per Sq Mi (2026) 1,417.8
Density: Persons Per Sq Km (2026) 547.4
Urban-Rural Population Urban: (2022) 27.9% ‱ Rural: (2022) 72.1%
Life Expectancy At Birth Male: (2022) 67.7 years ‱ Female: (2022) 71.2 years
Gni (U.S.$ ’000,000) (2024) 14,791
Gni Per Capita (U.S.$) (2024) 1,040
1Includes 18 indirectly elected seats and 8 seats appointed by the president.2Includes 27 indirectly elected seats.3Or Kinyarwanda, also designated “national” language per constitution.

Photos and Videos

Rwanda
Political map of Rwanda and surrounding countries in East Africa, showing Rwanda's national boundaries, major cities including Kigali, Butare, Gisenyi, and Ruhengeri, and neighboring countries Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. An inset locator map highlights Rwanda's position on the African continent.
Muhavura
Map of central and eastern Africa highlighting Rwanda and its capital, Kigali, with surrounding countries labeled, including Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Kenya. The Indian Ocean is shown to the east.
Map of Rwanda and surrounding countries showing physical features such as Lake Kivu, Lake Muhazi, Lake Mugesera, and the Virunga Mountains with Mount Karisimbi. National parks and the Western Rift Valley are marked. An inset locator map highlights Rwanda's position within Africa.
Lake Kivu
Ruvubu River
mountain gorilla
hillside family settlements, Rwanda
A Rwandan woman in a blue top and patterned skirt sits beside her shop at Nyamirambo market, with fresh produce on a table and packaged goods displayed in a cabinet.
Meet gorillas in Rwanda's mountains
National anthem of Rwanda
See All Videos, Images, Audio and Interactives →

Related Topics and References

Topics
President of Rwanda Paul Kagame wearing a suit and glasses, speaking at a podium with a green marble background at the United Nations.
Paul Kagame
president of Rwanda
Juvénal Habyarimana
Juvénal Habyarimana
president of Rwanda
default image
Alexis Kagame
Rwandan poet

Related Places

A map of the continent of Africa, including its countries, boundaries, and capital cities. It also shows parts of Europe and Asia and surrounding bodies of water, including the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, Red Sea, and Indian Ocean.
Africa
continent
Cluster of small houses in a village nestled among green hills beside the wide Congo River, with more hills visible in the background, Democratic Republic of Congo.
Central Africa
region, Africa
Kigali
Kigali
national capital, Rwanda
Butare: National Museum
Butare
Rwanda
default image
Akagera National Park
national park, Rwanda
Major states, peoples, and trade routes of eastern Africa, c. 1850
Kingdom of Rwanda
historical kingdom, Africa
Democratic Republic of the Congo
Democratic Republic of the Congo
capital at Kinshasa
Tanzania
Tanzania
country, Africa
Uganda
Uganda
country, Africa
Burundi
Burundi
country, Africa
East African mountains and lakes
East African mountains
mountains, East Africa
Virunga Mountains
Virunga Mountains
mountains, Africa
Lake Kivu
Lake Kivu
lake, Africa
Kagera River
Kagera River
river, Africa
Imperial partitions of eastern Africa, c. 1914
German East Africa
former German dependency, Africa

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