Rwanda: jobs and pay

What is the unemployment rate in Rwanda?

Rwanda's unemployment rate was 13.4% in May 2026 (the second quarter), unchanged from a year earlier, according to the NISR Labour Force Survey. It was 15.5% for women and 11.6% for men, and 15.7% for young people aged 16 to 30.

The labour force was 5.4 million people, and the participation rate was 62.1%. NISR notes that unemployment alone does not capture unmet need for work: the labour underutilisation rate, which adds time-related underemployment and the potential labour force, was 59.7%, up 2.6 points on a year earlier. The survey is run every quarter.

Official sources: NISR: Labour Force Survey 2026 Q2

How many people in Rwanda have a job?

53.8% of Rwandans of working age were employed in May 2026, according to the NISR Labour Force Survey, 2026 Q2, unchanged from May 2025. The employment-to-population ratio was 61.8% for men and 46.6% for women, a gap of 15.2 points.

Working age in the survey means 16 and over. The ratio was 56.9% for adults aged 31 and above and 49.6% for young people aged 16 to 30. The survey counts as employed anyone who worked for pay or profit for at least one hour in the reference week; work on one's own farm for own consumption is counted separately under international standards.

Official sources: NISR: Labour Force Survey 2026 Q2

How many workers in Rwanda earn a wage?

22% of workers in Rwanda earned non-farm wages in 2019/20, and 14.6% earned farm wages, according to the NISR Statistical Yearbook 2024, based on household surveys. In 2005/06 the shares were 10.9% and 8.2%.

The rest of the workforce is mostly self-employed, on family farms or in small businesses. Rwanda's Labour Force Survey, published each quarter by NISR, reports employment by status, sector and formality; the 2026 Q2 survey put the labour force at 5.4 million. Pension and occupational hazard contributions for employees are collected by the Rwanda Social Security Board.

Official sources: NISR: Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF) · NISR: Labour Force Survey 2026 Q2

What is Rwanda's minimum wage?

According to the ILO, the statutory minimum wage in Rwanda was 2,600 RWF a month (about $2) in 2024. It has not changed since 2012.

What is the average wage in Rwanda?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2024, is $53 a month. Since 2014 it has ranged from $41 a month (2022) to $88 a month (2014). It is 11th highest of 12 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is $173 a month. Of 75 countries with 2024 data, 74th highest.

What is Rwanda's unemployment rate?

11.4%: that is the unemployment rate in Rwanda for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 15.8% in 2021 and the low 10.8% in 2018. It is 11th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 5.2%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 27th highest.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Rwanda?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 16.4%. The peak was 23.3% in 2021 and the low 15.8% in 2006. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 8.8%; Rwanda is 13th highest of 45. Worldwide: 63rd of 174.

How many people in Rwanda are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 63.7%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 24th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 64.3%. Worldwide: 76th of 174.

How many women in Rwanda are working or looking for work?

57.3%: that is the labour force participation rate for women in Rwanda for 2025, according to the ILO. The peak was 58.0% in 2023 and the low 51.9% in 2019. It is 23rd highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. World rank, highest first: 62nd of 174.

How many people in Rwanda are employed?

56.4%: that is the employment to population ratio in Rwanda for 2025, according to the ILO. No year since 2005 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Rwanda is 27th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 103rd highest.

How many workers in Rwanda are self-employed or family workers?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Rwanda was 39.4% in 2025. The peak was 45.5% in 2005 and the low 37.1% in 2021. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; Rwanda is 35th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 64th of 174.

What share of workers in Rwanda earn a wage or salary?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 59.6%. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 62.1%; its low point was 2005, at 53.4%. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and Rwanda placed 10th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 99th highest.