Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Rwanda
Rwanda: Number of people living in urban and rural areas was 4.50 million people in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Number of people living in urban and rural 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 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for number of people living in urban and rural areas in Rwanda is 4.50 million people, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 76 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.7% on the previous year and up 112.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, number of people living in urban and rural areas in Rwanda peaked at 4.50 million people in 2025 and was at its lowest, 38,396 people, in 1950.
Rwanda ranks 106th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
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 | 55,488 people | 38,396 people | 74,136 people | 10 |
| 1960s | 97,995 people | 78,580 people | 121,284 people | 10 |
| 1970s | 186,323 people | 128,824 people | 246,629 people | 10 |
| 1980s | 312,549 people | 257,834 people | 373,596 people | 10 |
| 1990s | 662,833 people | 389,043 people | 1.20 million people | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.51 million people | 1.30 million people | 1.70 million people | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.17 million people | 1.75 million people | 2.93 million people | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.88 million people | 3.20 million people | 4.50 million people | 6 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More population data for Rwanda
- Population growth rate, by level of development 0.2% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 2.01 million people (2100)
- Population density 1,329 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth 0.2% (2100)
- Total fertility rate vs. wanted fertility rate 3.65 births per woman (2024)
- Refugees by country of asylum 114,368 people (2024)
- Fertility rate vs. unmet need for contraception 3.65 births per woman (2024)
- Total fertility rate vs. contraceptive prevalence 3.65 births per woman (2024)
- Natural population growth rate 2.2% (2023)
- Fertility rate: births per woman 3.7 live births per woman (2023)
Frequently asked questions
- What is number of people living in urban and rural areas in Rwanda?
- Number of people living in urban and rural areas in Rwanda was 4.50 million people 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 number of people living in urban and rural areas recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 4.50 million people in 2025.
- What is the lowest number of people living in urban and rural areas recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 38,396 people in 1950.
- How does Rwanda rank for number of people living in urban and rural areas?
- Rwanda ranks 106th out of 236 countries with data for 2025.
- Is number of people living in urban and rural areas rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 112.7%. 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 Number of people living in urban and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Number of people living in urban areas, based on each country's national definition.