The country’s demographic momentum continues to be fuelled by its youthful population, with young people under the age of 30 now accounting for 64.6%, more than 9.1 million Rwandans.
NISR announced the milestone on Friday, June 11, as Rwanda joins the world in marking World Population Day.
This year’s World Population Day theme, “Empowering young people to create the families they want in a fair and hopeful world,” resonates strongly with Rwanda’s current demographic landscape.
“Rwanda’s vibrant population, now 14.1 million, powered by its youth, is the greatest asset, driving the development, innovation, and resilience,” NISR said in a statement.
Steady growth over the years
Rwanda’s last national census in 2022 reported a population of 13.2 million, up from 10.5 million recorded in 2012. Over the ten-year period between the two censuses, Rwanda maintained an average annual growth rate of 2.6%.
Demographic projections also indicate important shifts ahead. While youth under 30 currently dominate the population, their share is expected to decrease to 54.3% by 2050, reflecting a maturing population.
Conversely, the working-age population (16–64 years) is rising, from 53.4% in 2012 to 56.0% in 2022, and is projected to hit 61.4% by mid-century.
World Population Day, commemorated every July 11, was established by the United Nations in 1989 to draw attention to global population trends and their impact on development and human well-being.
The day encourages dialogue around key population-related issues, including reproductive health, gender equality, and sustainable resource use.
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