Rwanda: housing

What are housing conditions like in Rwanda?

76% of Rwandan households lived under a corrugated iron roof in 2024, up from 67% in 2017, and 40% had a modern floor, usually concrete or tiles, according to the EICV7 Poverty Profile Report of the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda.

The remaining dwellings mostly had floors of beaten earth. Thatched roofs have almost disappeared, from 9.8% of households in 2005/06. EICV is Rwanda's main household survey, carried out every three years. NISR does not publish a house price or rent index; the Rwanda Housing Authority runs affordable housing programmes.

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

How many people in Rwanda have clean water?

At least 90% of Rwandan households had an improved source of drinking water in 2024, up from 87% in 2017, according to the EICV7 Poverty Profile Report. Only 16% had water piped to their home, almost always to the yard or compound rather than inside the dwelling.

Improved sources include piped water, public taps, boreholes and protected springs; unimproved water comes from unprotected springs or wells or directly from rivers and lakes. The share with piped water at home is rising by almost one percentage point a year. NISR also reports that 94% of households had access to improved sanitation in 2024 on its key figures page.

Official sources: NISR: EICV7 Poverty Profile Report 2023/24 · NISR: Key figures

How many people in Rwanda live in cities?

The latest figure from the UN Population Division, for 2025, is 30.9%. That is the highest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 44.9%, and Rwanda placed 40th highest of 48. Worldwide: 171st of 193.

What share of Rwanda's city dwellers live in slums?

38.3%: that is the share of city dwellers living in slums in Rwanda for 2022, according to UN-Habitat. No year since 2006 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 48.7%; Rwanda is 40th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 59th of 170.

What share of people in Rwanda have electricity?

In 2024, the share of people with access to electricity in Rwanda was 72.0%, according to the World Bank. That is the highest since at least 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 57.8%; Rwanda is 14th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 154th of 193.

How many people in Rwanda cook with wood or charcoal?

According to the WHO, the share of people using clean cooking fuels in Rwanda was 9.0% in 2024. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 13.0%; Rwanda is 29th highest of 48. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 172nd highest.