Rwanda: Unemployment Falls to 13.4% as Job Opportunities Grow

KIGALI, Rwanda - Unemployment in Rwanda has dropped to 13.4% in the third quarter of 2025, marking a 1.9% decline compared to the same period in 2024, according to the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR). The latest survey shows that roughly one in seven people in the labor market remains unemployed.

NISR data indicate that unemployment remains higher among women, at 15.9%, compared to 11.2% for men. Youth unemployment stands at 15.5%, while 11.7% of adults are without work. The survey also reveals a rural-urban divide, with rural areas recording 14.2% unemployment versus 11.8% in urban centers.

Rwanda has a working-age population of 8,571,278, with 5,643,232 people - or 65.8% - active in the labor market, a 1.7% increase from the third quarter of 2024. Of these, 4,888,921, or 57%, are employed, up from 54.3% in the same quarter last year.

The NISR report notes progress across both genders, with employment among men rising 1.8% and among women by 3.6%. Women now make up 49% of the employed population, while men account for 66.1%, narrowing the employment gap to 17.1% from 18.9% in 2024.

Age also plays a role in employment patterns. The majority of employed Rwandans are over 31 years old (57.3%), while those aged 16 to 30 account for 56.6% of employed individuals. Sector-wise, 44.9% of employed Rwandans work in services, 35.1% in agriculture, and 20% in industry. Among the unemployed, 53.7% are involved in subsistence agriculture, while 46.3% are not engaged in any productive activity.

Of the working-age population, 34.2% are not part of the labor market, a slight decrease from 35.9% in 2024. However, 56.7% of Rwandans are reported to not fully utilize their potential through underemployment or working in jobs that do not match their skills - a challenge more pronounced among women (64.7%) than men (48.3%). Youth underutilization stands at 57.8%, while 55.8% of adults are similarly affected.

Over the past five years, Rwanda has seen a steady decline in unemployment, from 19.4% in 2021 to 18.1% in 2022, 18% in 2023, and 15.3% in 2024, reaching 13.4% in the third quarter of 2025. Employment rates have concurrently risen from 41% in 2021 to 57% in 2025, reflecting a positive trend in job creation and labor market participation.

The survey underscores Rwanda’s ongoing efforts to boost employment and optimize the potential of its working-age population as the country continues its economic growth trajectory.