Rwanda Population Pyramid (2026)
Rwanda has a population of 14,889,693 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 76th-largest population in the world and 0.18% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 36.7% of the population and people aged 65 and over 4.1%, with 95.5 males for every 100 females.
Rwanda Demographics
Rwanda has 14.9 million people in 2026, up 274.1% from 4.0 million in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 322,599 (UN projection for 2026).
Median age 20.2 — the 38th-lowest of 194 countries.
Under-15 share 36.7% — the 41st-highest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen Z — 31.1% (4,624,724)
All generations in Rwanda →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Rwanda's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
Page Navigation(Quick jump to sections)
Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Rwanda has 95.5 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 342,219 (2.3% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:7,273,737
- Percentage:48.9%
Female Statistics
- Population:7,615,956
- Percentage:51.1%
- Ratio Format:1:1.047
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Rwanda indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 409,278 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 392,497 | 29.4 | 3.84 | estimate |
| 2022 | 393,949 | 28.9 | 3.78 | estimate |
| 2023 | 395,578 | 28.3 | 3.70 | estimate |
| 2024 | 400,062 | 28.1 | 3.65 | projection |
| 2025 | 404,109 | 27.7 | 3.59 | projection |
| 2026 | 409,278 | 27.5 | 3.54 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (409,278 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Rwanda's median age is 20.2 years
Half the population is younger than 20.2 years, half is older — indicating a very young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 1,931,888 | 13.0% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 1,829,043 | 12.3% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 1,702,941 | 11.4% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 1,592,306 | 10.7% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 1,488,774 | 10.0% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 1,159,904 | 7.8% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 1,020,828 | 6.9% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 946,578 | 6.4% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 846,176 | 5.7% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 660,560 | 4.4% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 440,881 | 3.0% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 361,314 | 2.4% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 296,855 | 2.0% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 267,477 | 1.8% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 172,088 | 1.2% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 102,828 | 0.7% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 44,843 | 0.3% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 18,863 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 4,785 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 719 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 42 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 3 (falling birth rate): 3.54 children per woman and 27.5 births per 1,000, with a low death rate (5.8). Read more about Stage 3 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Rwanda Total Fertility Rate: 3.54 children per woman
Above the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.84 | 29.4 | |
| 2022 | 3.78 | 28.9 | ↓0.06 |
| 2023 | 3.70 | 28.3 | ↓0.08 |
| 2024 | 3.65 | 28.1 | ↓0.05 |
| 2025 | 3.59 | 27.7 | ↓0.06 |
| 2026 | 3.54 | 27.5 | ↓0.05 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Above global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 3.33
Rwanda's total fertility rate is 3.54 children per woman in 2026 (above replacement), above the replacement level of 2.1. Rwanda ranks 37 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the highest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −56.6% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Rwanda's population has increased by 590.3%.
The median age has increased from 17.2 in 1950 to 20.2 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Rwanda's Demographics
Rwanda has an expansive population pyramid — a broad base of children that narrows steadily toward older ages.
Children under 15 make up 36.7% of the population and people aged 65 and over 4.1%.
The largest five-year age band is 0–4, at 13.0% of the population.
Demographic Analysis: Rwanda's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
The working-age share is still rising, from 56.1% in 2016 to 59.2% in 2026 (dependency ratio 68.9).
Fertility Transition Stage
Rwanda is in a period of above replacement, with a total fertility rate of 3.54 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Rwanda's median age changed by +1.8 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 14,889,693 |
| Male Population | 7,273,737(48.9%) |
| Female Population | 7,615,956(51.1%) |
| Median Age | 20.2 years |
| Sex Ratio | 95.5 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 5,463,872(36.7%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 8,814,176(59.2%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 611,645(4.1%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 68.9 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 62.0 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 6.9 |
| Pyramid Type | Expansive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Rwanda
How long the average person in Rwanda is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Rwanda is projected to grow to 22.7 million people by 2050 (+52.5% from 2026).
The median age rises from 20.2 in 2026 to 25.8 by 2050.
Major Events That Shaped Rwanda's Demographics
Understanding the historical events and policy decisions that created Rwanda's current population structure.
1994 Genocide against the Tutsi
April-July 1994Between 6 April and 4 July 1994, more than one million people are estimated to have been killed.
Demographic Impact
Life expectancy at birth fell to 12.2 years in 1994, the crude death rate rose to 154.0 per 1,000, and the population fell from 8.0 million in 1993 to 5.7 million by 1995; the overall sex ratio was about 92.0 males per 100 females in 1995.
Source: United Nations, Outreach Programme on the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda
Post-Genocide Reconstruction
1994-2010Massive repatriation and reconciliation efforts rebuilt the population.
Demographic Impact
The population rose from 5.7 million in 1995 to 10.3 million by 2010, and total fertility was about 6.35 children per woman in 1995.
Modern Family Planning Initiatives
2005-presentGovernment-led programs promoting smaller families and maternal health.
Demographic Impact
Total fertility fell from 5.50 children per woman in 2005 to 3.91 by 2020, and the crude birth rate fell from 40.6 to 30.0 per 1,000.
Rwanda's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 34.5%, growing from 4.0 million in 1970 to 5.4 million by 1980
The median age increased by 0.7 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 1.5 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 4.0M to 5.4M
- • Growth rate of 34.5% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 14.7 to 15.4 years (+0.7y)
- • 65+ share changed by −0.4 points; under-15 share by −1.5 points
Frequently Asked Questions About Rwanda
How does Rwanda rank globally by population?
Rwanda ranks 76th in the world by population with 14.9 million people as of 2026, representing 0.18% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does Rwanda's age structure reveal about its development?
Rwanda's age structure — 36.7% under 15, 59.2% working-age (15–64) and 4.1% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 3 of the demographic transition, with an expansive population pyramid. The median age is 20.2 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Rwanda?
Rwanda has 68.9 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Rwanda experiencing a demographic dividend?
Rwanda is opening its demographic-dividend window. The working-age share is still rising, from 56.1% in 2016 to 59.2% in 2026 (dependency ratio 68.9). The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Rwanda's population?
Rwanda has more females than males, with 95.5 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Rwanda Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/rwanda
View UN World Population Prospects Data →