Share of population living in urban areas in Rwanda
Rwanda: Share of population living in urban areas was 30.9% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in urban areas in Rwanda, 1950–2025
Source: United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
Rwanda recorded 30.9% for share of population living in urban areas in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
That represents a change of up 3.4% on the previous year and up 69.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in urban areas in Rwanda peaked at 30.9% in 2025 and was at its lowest, 1.8%, in 1950.
That places Rwanda 210th out of 236 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 2.2% | 1.8% | 2.5% | 10 |
| 1960s | 2.9% | 2.6% | 3.1% | 10 |
| 1970s | 4.0% | 3.2% | 4.8% | 10 |
| 1980s | 5.0% | 4.8% | 5.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 8.9% | 5.3% | 14.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 16.8% | 15.8% | 16.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 18.7% | 16.9% | 23.0% | 10 |
| 2020s | 28.0% | 24.5% | 30.9% | 6 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
- 207 Uganda 31.9% compare
- 208 Saint Kitts and Nevis 31.9% compare
- 209 Solomon Islands 31.3% compare
- 211 Myanmar 30.6% compare
- 212 Guernsey 29.6% compare
- 213 Saint Lucia 29.1% compare
More population data for Rwanda
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Population density 1,329 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.01 million people (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.65 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.65 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 114,368 people (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.65 births per woman (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. Share of people who are religious 3.7 live births per woman (2023)
- Fertility rate accounting for survival until childbearing age 3.5 children per women (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in urban areas in Rwanda?
- Share of population living in urban areas in Rwanda was 30.9% in 2025, according to United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in urban areas recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 30.9% in 2025.
- What is the lowest share of population living in urban areas recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.8% in 1950.
- How does Rwanda rank for share of population living in urban areas?
- Rwanda ranks 210th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is share of population living in urban areas rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 69.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda data come from?
- The figures come from United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in urban areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the population living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.