According to the Rwanda Vital Statistics Report 2025, released on April 15, 2026, the recorded divorce cases include separations that occurred over the past three years but were officially entered into the system in 2025.
Out of the 4,479 recorded cases, 2,629 divorces were granted through courts of law.
The highest number of divorce cases was recorded in Kigali City, with 1,199 households, followed by the Eastern Province with 1,011 cases. The Southern Province recorded 976 divorces, while the Western Province had 669, and the Northern Province registered 592 cases.
Data further shows that courts granted 1,068 divorces in 2024, up from 782 cases in 2023, indicating a steady increase in legal separations over recent years.
An analysis of the 2025 figures indicates that in 3,936 of the divorced households, both partners remained in the same province after separation, while in 543 cases, each partner relocated to a different province.
Under Rwanda’s law governing persons and family, divorce may be requested on various grounds, including adultery, conviction for a serious offense, failure to provide for the family, physical or psychological abuse, emotional distress, economic abuse, or other behaviors that seriously harm a spouse, a shared child, or either party individually. Couples may also separate when cohabitation becomes intolerable for one or both partners.
Decline in legal marriages
The report also highlights a decline in legally registered marriages. In 2025, a total of 50,256 marriages were recorded, down from 52,878 in 2024.
Men entering marriage were predominantly aged between 25 and 29, while most women were between 21 and 24 years old.
Districts with the highest number of marriages exceeding 2,000, include; Gasabo District, Gicumbi District, Nyarugenge District, Kicukiro District, Musanze District, Muhanga District, Rubavu District, and Nyamasheke District.
On the other hand, districts with fewer than 1,000 registered marriages include Nyanza District, Gisagara District, and Ngoma District.
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