Rwanda

Rwandese RepublicRepublika y'u Rwanda

republicIndependence 1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN

Rwanda as the 1999 edition of the CIA World Factbook published it: 103 fields, one of 36 editions from 1990 to 2025.

field in that editiontext changed from the edition beforenot in that editionthe open editionEach field below ends in its editions, 1990 to 2025. Point at a year above to follow it down.

CapitalKigali

Position2 00 S, 30 00 E

Area26,340 sq km

LocationCentral Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Populationas each edition published it

8.15 million July 1999 est. · 7.61m in 1990

Population growth% a year

2.43% 1999 est. · 2.9% in 1993

Median ageyears

Not in this edition 18.1 yrs in 2003

Life expectancyyears at birth

41.31 years 1999 est. · 41.23 yrs in 1993

Fertility ratechildren per woman

5.8 children per woman 1999 est. · 8.5 in 1990

Infant mortalitydeaths per 1,000 live births

112.86 deaths per 1,000 live births 1999 est. · 113 in 1990

GDP per capitaeach edition's own dollars

$690 1998 est. · $290 in 1993

GDP real growth% a year

10.5% 1998 est. · 1.3% in 1993

Introduction

1 field

Background

Throughout their colonial rule, first Germany and then Belgium favored Rwanda's minority Tutsi ethnic group in education and employment. In 1959, the majority ethnic group, the Hutus, overthrew the ruling Tutsi monarch. The Hutus killed hundreds of Tutsis and drove tens of thousands into exile in neighboring countries. The children of these exiles later formed a rebel group, the Rwandan Patriotic Front (RPF), and began a civil war in October 1990.

The war, along with several political and economic upheavals, exasperated ethnic tensions culminating in April 1994 in a genocide in which roughly 800,000 Tutsis and moderate Hutus were killed. The Tutsi rebels defeated the Hutu regime and ended the genocide in July 1994, but approximately 2 million Hutu refugees--many fearing Tutsi retribution--fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zaire, now called the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DROC). According to the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees, in 1996 and early 1997 nearly 1.3 million Hutus returned to Rwanda.

Even with substantial international aid, these civil dislocations have hindered efforts to foster reconciliation and to boost investment and agricultural output. Although much of the country is now at peace, members of the former regime continue to destabilize the northwest area of the country through a low-intensity insurgency. Rwandan troops are currently involved in a crisis engulfing neighboring DROC.

Geography

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

18 fields

Land useshare of 26,340 sq km

arable land 35%permanent crops 13%permanent pastures 18%forests and woodland 22%other 12% (1993 est.)irrigated 40 sq km (1993 est.)

Area

26,340sq km

land: 24,950 sq kmwater: 1,390 sq kmslightly smaller than Maryland

Coastline

0km

(landlocked)Maritime claims: none (landlocked)

Highest point

4,519m

Volcan Karisimbilowest point: Rusizi River 950 m

Land boundaries

893km

border countries: Burundi 290 km, Democratic Republic of the Congo 217 km, Tanzania 217 km, Uganda 169 km

Location

Central Africa, east of Democratic Republic of the Congo

Geographic coordinates

2 00 S, 30 00 E

Map references

Africa

Climate

temperate;
two rainy seasons (February to April, November to January);
mild in mountains with frost and snow possible

Terrain

mostly grassy uplands and hills; relief is mountainous with altitude declining from west to east

Natural resources

gold, cassiterite (tin ore), wolframite (tungsten ore), methane, hydropower

Natural hazards

periodic droughts; the volcanic Birunga mountains are in the northwest along the border with Democratic Republic of the Congo

Environment--current issues

deforestation results from uncontrolled cutting of trees for fuel;
overgrazing;
soil exhaustion;
soil erosion;
widespread poaching

Environment--international agreements

party to:: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Nuclear Test Ban
signed, but not ratified:: Law of the Sea

Geography--note

landlocked; predominantly rural population

People

15 fields

Population

8,154,933

(July 1999 est.)growth rate: 2.43% (1999 est.)

Per 1,000 population(1999 est.)

Birth

38.97Death

19.53Net migration

4.91

Net migration: note: following the outbreak of genocidal strife in Rwanda in April 1994 between Tutsi and Hutu factions, more than 2 million refugees fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire); according to the UN High Commission on Refugees, in 1996 and early 1997 nearly 1.3 million Hutus returned to Rwanda--of these 720,000 returned from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 480,000 from Tanzania, 88,000 from Burundi, and 10,000 from Uganda; probably fewer than 100,000 Rwandans remained outside of Rwanda by the end of 1997

Male · female

TotalMale · femaleLife expectancy years (1999 est.)41.31

40.84 · 41.8

TotalMale · femaleLiteracy (1995 est.)60.5%

69.8% · 51.6%

MaleFemaleLiteracy definition: age 15 and over can read and write

Ethnic groups

Hutu 80%Tutsi 19%Twa (Pygmoid) 1%

Religions

Roman Catholic 65%Protestant 9%Muslim 1%indigenous beliefs and other 25%

Age structure

0-14 years:: 44% (male 1,807,695; female 1,793,590)
15-64 years:: 53% (male 2,148,477; female 2,179,119)
65 years and over:: 3% (male 92,490; female 133,562) (1999 est.)

Net migration rate

4.91 migrant(s)/1,000 population (1999 est.)

note: following the outbreak of genocidal strife in Rwanda in April 1994 between Tutsi and Hutu factions, more than 2 million refugees fled to neighboring Burundi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Democratic Republic of the Congo (formerly Zaire);

according to the UN High Commission on Refugees, in 1996 and early 1997 nearly 1.3 million Hutus returned to Rwanda--of these 720,000 returned from Democratic Republic of the Congo, 480,000 from Tanzania, 88,000 from Burundi, and 10,000 from Uganda; probably fewer than 100,000 Rwandans remained outside of Rwanda by the end of 1997

Sex ratio

at birth:: 1.03 male(s)/female
under 15 years:: 1.01 male(s)/female
15-64 years:: 0.99 male(s)/female
65 years and over:: 0.69 male(s)/female
total population:: 0.99 male(s)/female (1999 est.)

Infant mortality rate

112.86 deaths/1,000 live births (1999 est.)

Total fertility rate

5.8 children born/woman (1999 est.)

Nationality

noun:: Rwandan(s)
adjective:: Rwandan

Languages

Kinyarwanda (official) universal Bantu vernacular, French (official), English (official), Kiswahili (Swahili) used in commercial centers

Government

Republic; President Pasteur BIZIMUNGU (since 19 July 1994); Prime Minister Celestin RWIGEMA (since 1 September 1995)

19 fields

Legislature, 70 seatsone dot, one seat

-RPF 19MDR 13PSD 13PL 13PDC 6PSR 2PDI 2other 2

Country name

conventional long form:: Rwandese Republic
conventional short form:: Rwanda
local long form:: Republika y'u Rwanda
local short form:: Rwanda

Data code

Government type

republic; presidential, multiparty system

Capital

Kigali

Administrative divisions

12 prefectures (in French--prefectures, singular--prefecture; in Kinyarwanda--plural--NA, singular--prefegitura);
Butare, Byumba, Cyangugu, Gikongoro, Gisenyi, Gitarama, Kibungo, Kibuye, Kigali, Kigaliville, Umutara, Ruhengeri

Independence

1 July 1962 (from Belgium-administered UN trusteeship)

National holiday

Independence Day, 1 July (1962)

Constitution

on 5 May 1995, the Transitional National Assembly adopted a new constitution which included elements of the constitution of 18 June 1991 as well as provisions of the 1993 Arusha peace accord and the November 1994 multi-party protocol of understanding

Legal system

based on German and Belgian civil law systems and customary law;
judicial review of legislative acts in the Supreme Court;
has not accepted compulsory ICJ jurisdiction

Suffrage

NA years of age; universal adult

Executive branch

chief of state:: President Pasteur BIZIMUNGU (since 19 July 1994); Vice President Maj. Gen. Paul KAGAME (since 19 July 1994)
head of government:: Prime Minister Celestin RWIGEMA (since 1 September 1995)
cabinet:: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections:: normally the president is elected by popular vote for a five-year term;
election last held in December 1988 (next to be held NA);
prime minister is appointed by the president
election results:: Juvenal HABYARIMANA elected president; percent of vote--99.98% (HABYARIMANA was the sole candidate)

note: President HABYARIMANA was killed in a plane crash on 6 April 1994 which ignited the genocide and was replaced by President BIZIMUNGU who was installed by the military forces of the ruling Rwandan Patriotic Front on 19 July 1994

Legislative branch

unicameral Transitional National Assembly or Assemblee Nationale de Transition (a power-sharing body with 70 seats established on 12 December 1994 following a multi-party protocol understanding; members were predetermined by the Arusha peace accord)

elections:: the last national legislative elections were held 16 December 1988 for the National Development Council (the legislature prior to the advent of the Transitional National Assembly);
no elections have been held for the Transitional National Assembly as the distribution of seats was predetermined by the Arusha peace accord
election results:: percent of vote by party--NA;
seats by party--RPF 19, MDR 13, PSD 13, PL 13, PDC 6, PSR 2, PDI 2, other 2;
note--the distribution of seats was predetermined

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court, consists of the Court of Cassation and the Council of State in joint session

Political parties and leaders

significant parties include:

Political pressure groups and leaders

Rwanda Patriotic Army or Return (RDR)

International organization participation

ACCT, ACP, AfDB, CCC, CEEAC, CEPGL, ECA, FAO, G-77, IBRD, ICAO, ICFTU, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, Intelsat, Interpol, IOC, IOM (observer), ITU, NAM, OAU, OPCW, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNIDO, UPU, WCL, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WToO, WTrO

Diplomatic representation in the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador Theogene N. RUDASINGWA
chancery:: 1714 New Hampshire Ave. NW, Washington, DC 20009

Diplomatic representation from the US

chief of mission:: Ambassador George M. STAPLES
embassy:: Boulevard de la Revolution, Kigali
mailing address:: B. P. 28, Kigali

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of red (hoist side), yellow, and green with a large black letter R centered in the yellow band;
uses the popular pan-African colors of Ethiopia;
similar to the flag of Guinea, which has a plain yellow band

Economy

Rwanda is a rural country with about 90% of the | population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture.

31 fields

GDP per capita, PPP

$690

purchasing power parity? · (1998 est.)

Real growth rate

10.5%

(1998 est.)industrial production growth: 4.9% (1995 est.)

Inflation, consumer prices

10%

(1998)

Population below poverty line

51.2%

(1993 est.)

GDP--composition by sector(1997 est.)

agriculture 36%industry 24%services 40% (1997 est.)

Budget

Revenues

$231 millionExpenditures

$319 million (1996 est.)

expenditures including capital expenditures of $13 million

Electricity

fossil fuel 2.44%hydro 97.56%nuclear 0% · other 0%

Electricity production

164 million (1996)Electricity consumption

177 million (1996)Electricity exports

2 million (1996)Electricity imports

15 million (1996)

Economy--overview

Rwanda is a rural country with about 90% of the population engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely populated country in Africa; is landlocked, and has few natural resources and minimal industry. Primary exports are coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and external investment.

However, Rwanda has made significant progress in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy. GDP has rebounded, and inflation has been curbed. In June 1998, Rwanda signed an Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) with the IMF. Rwanda has also embarked upon an ambitious privatization program with the World Bank.

GDP

purchasing power parity--$5.5 billion (1998 est.)

Labor force

3.6 million

Labor force--by occupation

agriculture 90%, government and services, industry and commerce

Unemployment rate

NA%

Industries

production of cement, processing of agricultural products, small-scale beverage production, manufacture of soap, furniture, shoes, plastic goods, textiles, cigarettes

Agriculture--products

coffee, tea, pyrethrum (insecticide made from chrysanthemums), bananas, beans, sorghum, potatoes; livestock

Exports

$82.1 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Exports--commodities

coffee 55%, tea 21%, hides, tin ore (1997)

Exports--partners

Brazil 49%, Germany 16%, US, Netherlands, UK (1996)

Imports

$326 million (f.o.b., 1998 est.)

Imports--commodities

foodstuffs, machinery and equipment, steel, petroleum products, cement and construction material (1997)

Imports--partners

Italy, Kenya, Tanzania, US, Belgium-Luxembourg (1997)

Debt--external

$1.2 billion (1998)

Economic aid--recipient

$711.2 million (1995);
note?since 1994, World Bank financing to Rwanda has totaled more than $120 million;
in June 1998, Rwanda signed an Enhanced Structural Adjustment Facility (ESAF) with the IMF;
in summer 1998, Rwanda presented its policy objectives and development priorities to donor governments resulting in multi-year pledges in the amount of $250 million

Currency

1 Rwandan franc (RF) = 100 centimes

Exchange rates

Rwandan francs (RF) per US$1--320.63 (February 1999), 312.31 (1998), 301.53 (1997), 306.82 (1996), 262.20 (1995)

Fiscal year

calendar year

Communications

6 fields

Fixed lines

6,400

(1983 est.)

Telephone system

telephone system primarily serves business and government

domestic:: the capital, Kigali, is connected to the centers of the prefectures by microwave radio relay;
the remainder of the network depends on wire and HF radiotelephone
international:: international connections employ microwave radio relay to neighboring countries and satellite communications to more distant countries;
satellite earth stations--1 Intelsat (Indian Ocean) in Kigali (includes telex and telefax service)