Rwanda: crime and justice

How much crime is there in Rwanda?

Rwanda recorded 87,083 cases of its ten most common crimes in 2023, up from 79,418 in 2022, according to Rwanda Investigation Bureau data in the NISR Statistical Yearbook 2024. Theft (31,285) and assault and battery (24,816) were the most common.

Fraud cases doubled to 5,852. By province, Kigali City recorded 23,464 crimes of all types in 2023. The figures are cases recorded by the RIB, so they change with reporting and investigation as well as with crime itself. On the international measure, the UNODC homicide rate was 3.6 per 100,000 people in 2020.

Official sources: NISR: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF) · World Bank: Intentional homicides (UNODC), Rwanda

How many family-conflict crimes are recorded in Rwanda?

The Rwanda Investigation Bureau recorded 1,847 cases linked to family conflicts in 2023, including 1,666 assaults, 122 murders and 59 suicides, according to the NISR Statistical Yearbook 2024. The total was 2,058 in 2022 and 880 in 2019.

Separately, 3,865 cases of harassment of a spouse and 4,978 cases of child defilement were recorded in 2023. These are cases recorded by the Rwanda Investigation Bureau. Recorded cases rise when reporting improves, so the trend does not show whether violence itself has changed.

Official sources: NISR: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

What is the murder rate in Rwanda?

The UN Office on Drugs and Crime puts the intentional homicide rate in Rwanda at 3.6 per 100,000 in 2020. The peak was 3.9 per 100,000 in 2017 and the low 1.5 per 100,000 in 2008. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.6 per 100,000; Rwanda is 10th highest of 15. Worldwide: 49th of 121.

How many people have been killed in fighting in Rwanda?

The Uppsala Conflict Data Program puts battle-related deaths in Rwanda at 1 in 2024. It is 20th highest of 20 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 164. World rank, highest first: 41st of 41.