Rwanda: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in Rwanda?

Food and non-alcoholic drink prices in Rwanda's towns were 20.9% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, and rose 5.3% in the month alone, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). Fresh products rose 27.9% over the year.

Housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose 18.3%, and energy prices 45%. Locally produced goods rose 19.8% and imported goods 9.7%. Core inflation, excluding fresh products and energy, was 11.4%. The figures are from the urban consumer price index; the rural index rose 22% over the year, according to the September 2026 report.

Official sources: NISR: Consumer Price Index, September 2026 · NISR: CPI report, September 2026 (PDF)

What is the poverty rate in Rwanda?

27.4% of Rwandans lived in poverty in 2024, down from 39.8% in 2017 on the same updated method, according to the EICV7 Poverty Profile Report published by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.

The figure comes from the seventh Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7), carried out in 2023/24. NISR updated the poverty line and method for EICV7 and recalculated the 2017 figure so the two are comparable; earlier published rates on the old method are not directly comparable. Poverty is measured by household consumption, including food grown for own use, against the cost of a basic basket of needs.

Official sources: NISR: EICV7 Poverty Profile Report 2023/24

How much have energy prices risen in Rwanda?

Energy prices in Rwanda's towns were 45% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the NISR consumer price index, and rose 0.2% in the month. The wider group of housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels rose 18.3% over the year.

The energy component of the index covers fuels and electricity bought by households. Fuel pump prices and electricity tariffs are set by the Rwanda Utilities Regulatory Authority (RURA), which publishes them. The Ministry of Finance links the rise in inflation in 2026 to higher international oil and fertilizer prices.

Official sources: NISR: Consumer Price Index, September 2026 · RURA

What is the inflation rate in Rwanda?

The latest figure from the IMF, for 2025, is 5.9%. Since 2005 it has ranged from -0.4% (2021) to 19.8% (2023). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 3.4%, and Rwanda placed 12th highest of 39. Worldwide: 31st of 165.

How much do people in Rwanda spend?

In 2025, household consumption per person in Rwanda was $612, according to the World Bank. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was $840, and Rwanda placed 26th highest of 37. Worldwide: 113th of 124.

How many people in Rwanda live on under $3 a day?

In 2023, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Rwanda was 38.6%, according to the World Bank. It was 65.2% in 2013. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 59.

What share of Rwanda lives below the poverty line?

According to the World Bank, the share of people below the national poverty line in Rwanda was 27.4% in 2023. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 24.8%, and Rwanda placed 2nd highest of 5. Worldwide: 10th of 39.

What is income inequality in Rwanda?

According to the World Bank, the Gini index in Rwanda was 39.4 in 2023. It was 45.1 in 2013. Worldwide: 17th of 59.