Urban Population: Rwanda
Rwanda's urban population is currently 29.9% as of 2024. # Rwanda Urban Population Rwanda's urban population reached 29.
Current (2024)
29.9%
+3.6% y/y
Peak (2024)
29.9%
Low (1960)
2.6%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Rwanda
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Rwanda
Analysis# Rwanda Urban Population
Rwanda's urban population reached 29.885% in 2024, marking the highest level in recorded history. This represents a dramatic transformation from the nation's 2.6% urbanization rate in 1960, a cumulative increase of 1,049.4% over six decades. Despite substantial urban growth, Rwanda remains predominantly rural compared to many African nations, indicating significant development potential in its cities.
The period from 2015 to 2024 demonstrates accelerating urbanization, with the urban share climbing from 18.195% to 29.885% in just nine years. Annual growth has averaged roughly 1.3 percentage points since 2015, nearly double the pace of earlier decades. Rwanda's consistent upward trajectory suggests continued urban migration driven by economic development, improved infrastructure, and growing employment opportunities in Kigali and secondary cities.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 29.9% | +3.57% |
| 2023 | 28.9% | +3.87% |
| 2022 | 27.8% | +6.42% |
| 2021 | 26.1% | +6.54% |
| 2020 | 24.5% | +6.67% |
| 2019 | 23.0% | +6.63% |
| 2018 | 21.5% | +6.39% |
| 2017 | 20.2% | +5.89% |
| 2016 | 19.1% | +5.09% |
| 2015 | 18.2% | +3.96% |
| 2014 | 17.5% | +2.51% |
| 2013 | 17.1% | +0.79% |
| 2012 | 16.9% | +0.05% |
| 2011 | 16.9% | +0.04% |
| 2010 | 16.9% | +0.03% |
| 2009 | 16.9% | +0.02% |
| 2008 | 16.9% | +0.02% |
| 2007 | 16.9% | +0.02% |
| 2006 | 16.9% | +0.02% |
| 2005 | 16.9% | +0.03% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 16.9% | +0.04% |
| 2003 | 16.9% | +0.10% |
| 2002 | 16.9% | +1.99% |
| 2001 | 16.5% | +4.87% |
| 2000 | 15.8% | +7.54% |
| 1999 | 14.7% | +10.12% |
| 1998 | 13.3% | +12.60% |
| 1997 | 11.8% | +14.90% |
| 1996 | 10.3% | +16.82% |
| 1995 | 8.8% | +17.81% |
| 1994 | 7.5% | +16.92% |
| 1993 | 6.4% | +13.01% |
| 1992 | 5.7% | +5.59% |
| 1991 | 5.4% | +1.67% |
| 1990 | 5.3% | +1.44% |
| 1989 | 5.2% | +1.19% |
| 1988 | 5.1% | +0.96% |
| 1987 | 5.1% | +0.81% |
| 1986 | 5.0% | +0.72% |
| 1985 | 5.0% | +0.64% |
| 1984 | 5.0% | +0.69% |
| 1983 | 4.9% | +0.73% |
| 1982 | 4.9% | +0.88% |
| 1981 | 4.9% | +1.08% |
| 1980 | 4.8% | +1.35% |
| 1979 | 4.8% | +1.71% |
| 1978 | 4.7% | +2.64% |
| 1977 | 4.6% | +3.78% |
| 1976 | 4.4% | +4.75% |
| 1975 | 4.2% | +5.41% |
| 1974 | 4.0% | +5.78% |
| 1973 | 3.8% | +5.77% |
| 1972 | 3.5% | +5.31% |
| 1971 | 3.4% | +4.17% |
| 1970 | 3.2% | +3.02% |
| 1969 | 3.1% | +2.55% |
| 1968 | 3.1% | +2.24% |
| 1967 | 3.0% | +2.04% |
| 1966 | 2.9% | +1.87% |
| 1965 | 2.9% | +1.84% |
| 1964 | 2.8% | +1.84% |
| 1963 | 2.8% | +1.98% |
| 1962 | 2.7% | +2.21% |
| 1961 | 2.7% | +2.54% |
| 1960 | 2.6% | — |
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