In 2023, the infant mortality rate in deaths per 1,000 live births in Rwanda was 30.5. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 93.9, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Rwanda RW: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 29.200 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 30.400 Ratio for 2015. Rwanda RW: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 115.600 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 148.200 Ratio in 1977 and a record low of 29.200 Ratio in 2016. Rwanda RW: Mortality Rate: Infant: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Rwanda – Table RW.World Bank: Health Statistics. Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.; ; Estimates developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted Average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Graph and download economic data for Infant Mortality Rate for Rwanda (SPDYNIMRTINRWA) from 1960 to 2023 about Rwanda, mortality, infant, and rate.

Historical dataset showing Rwanda infant mortality rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

Rwanda RW: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data was reported at 38.500 Ratio in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 40.500 Ratio for 2015. Rwanda RW: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data is updated yearly, averaging 194.700 Ratio from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 284.400 Ratio in 1994 and a record low of 38.500 Ratio in 2016. Rwanda RW: Mortality Rate: Under-5: per 1000 Live Births data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Rwanda – Table RW.World Bank: Health Statistics. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.; ; Estimates Developed by the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UNICEF, WHO, World Bank, UN DESA Population Division) at www.childmortality.org.; Weighted average; Given that data on the incidence and prevalence of diseases are frequently unavailable, mortality rates are often used to identify vulnerable populations. Moreover, they are among the indicators most frequently used to compare socioeconomic development across countries. Under-five mortality rates are higher for boys than for girls in countries in which parental gender preferences are insignificant. Under-five mortality captures the effect of gender discrimination better than infant mortality does, as malnutrition and medical interventions have more significant impacts to this age group. Where female under-five mortality is higher, girls are likely to have less access to resources than boys.

Actual value and historical data chart for Rwanda Mortality Rate Infant Per 1 000 Live Births

Rwanda: Infant deaths per 1000 live births: The latest value from 2022 is 29 deaths per 1000 live births, a decline from 30 deaths per 1000 live births in 2021. In comparison, the world average is 19 deaths per 1000 live births, based on data from 187 countries. Historically, the average for Rwanda from 1960 to 2022 is 98 deaths per 1000 live births. The minimum value, 29 deaths per 1000 live births, was reached in 2022 while the maximum of 214 deaths per 1000 live births was recorded in 1994.

BackgroundDespite the sharp decline in global under-5 deaths since 1990, uneven progress has been achieved across and within countries. In sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) for child mortality were met only by a few countries. Valid concerns exist as to whether the region would meet new Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for under-5 mortality. We therefore examine further sources of variation by assessing age patterns, trends, and forecasts of mortality rates.Methods and findingsData came from 106 nationally representative Demographic and Health Surveys (DHSs) with full birth histories from 31 SSA countries from 1990 to 2017 (a total of 524 country-years of data). We assessed the distribution of age at death through the following new demographic analyses. First, we used a direct method and full birth histories to estimate under-5 mortality rates (U5MRs) on a monthly basis. Second, we smoothed raw estimates of death rates by age and time by using a two-dimensional P-Spline approach. Third, a variant of the Lee–Carter (LC) model, designed for populations with limited data, was used to fit and forecast age profiles of mortality. We used mortality estimates from the United Nations Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation (UN IGME) to adjust, validate, and minimize the risk of bias in survival, truncation, and recall in mortality estimation. Our mortality model revealed substantive declines of death rates at every age in most countries but with notable differences in the age patterns over time. U5MRs declined from 3.3% (annual rate of reduction [ARR] 0.1%) in Lesotho to 76.4% (ARR 5.2%) in Malawi, and the pace of decline was faster on average (ARR 3.2%) than that observed for infant (IMRs) (ARR 2.7%) and neonatal (NMRs) (ARR 2.0%) mortality rates. We predict that 5 countries (Kenya, Rwanda, Senegal, Tanzania, and Uganda) are on track to achieve the under-5 sustainable development target by 2030 (25 deaths per 1,000 live births), but only Rwanda and Tanzania would meet both the neonatal (12 deaths per 1,000 live births) and under-5 targets simultaneously. Our predicted NMRs and U5MRs were in line with those estimated by the UN IGME by 2030 and 2050 (they overlapped in 27/31 countries for NMRs and 22 for U5MRs) and by the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) by 2030 (26/31 and 23/31, respectively). This study has a number of limitations, including poor data quality issues that reflected bias in the report of births and deaths, preventing reliable estimates and predictions from a few countries.ConclusionsTo our knowledge, this study is the first to combine full birth histories and mortality estimates from external reliable sources to model age patterns of under-5 mortality across time in SSA. We demonstrate that countries with a rapid pace of mortality reduction (ARR ≥ 3.2%) across ages would be more likely to achieve the SDG mortality targets. However, the lower pace of neonatal mortality reduction would prevent most countries from achieving those targets: 2 countries would reach them by 2030, 13 between 2030 and 2050, and 13 after 2050.

Time series data for the statistic Infant_Mortality_Rate_Per_1000_Live_Births and country Rwanda. Indicator Definition:Infant mortality rate is the number of infants dying before reaching one year of age, per 1,000 live births in a given year.The statistic "Infant Mortality Rate Per 1000 Live Births" stands at 30.50 per mille as of 12/31/2023, the lowest value at least since 12/31/1961, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -0.3 percentage points compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percentage points is -0.3.The 3 year change in percentage points is -1.00.The 5 year change in percentage points is -1.70.The 10 year change in percentage points is -5.20.The Serie's long term average value is 89.98 per mille. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is 59.47 percentage points lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2023, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is +0.0.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's maximum value, on 12/31/1994, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is -181.70.

Child mortality rate of Rwanda slipped by 1.96% from 40.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2022 to 40.0 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2023. Since the 5.14% drop in 2013, child mortality rate sank by 22.63% in 2023. Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to current age-specific mortality rates.

In 2023, the crude birth rate in live births per 1,000 inhabitants in Rwanda amounted to 28.35. Between 1960 and 2023, the figure dropped by 24.53, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Time series data for the statistic Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) and country Rwanda. Indicator Definition:Under-five mortality rate is the probability per 1,000 that a newborn baby will die before reaching age five, if subject to age-specific mortality rates of the specified year.The indicator "Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births)" stands at 40.00 as of 12/31/2023, the lowest value at least since 12/31/1961, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -1.96 percent compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percent is -1.96.The 3 year change in percent is -5.88.The 5 year change in percent is -9.71.The 10 year change in percent is -22.63.The Serie's long term average value is 160.07. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is 75.01 percent lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percent from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2023, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is +0.0%.The Serie's change in percent from it's maximum value, on 12/31/1994, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is -89.72%.

The life expectancy experiences significant growth in all gender groups in 2023. As part of the positive trend, the life expectancy reaches the maximum value for the different genders at the end of the comparison period. Particularly noteworthy is the life expectancy of women at birth, which has the highest value of 69.89 years. Life expectancy at birth refers to the number of years the average newborn is expected to live, providing that mortality patterns at the time of birth do not change thereafter.Find further similar statistics for other countries or regions like Sierra Leone and Gambia.

Graph and download economic data for Life Expectancy at Birth, Total for Rwanda (SPDYNLE00INRWA) from 1960 to 2023 about Rwanda, life expectancy, life, and birth.

Historical dataset showing Rwanda birth rate by year from 1950 to 2025.

Time series data for the statistic Birth_Rate_Crude_Per_1000_People and country Rwanda. Indicator Definition:Crude birth rate indicates the number of live births occurring during the year, per 1,000 population estimated at midyear. Subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate provides the rate of natural increase, which is equal to the rate of population change in the absence of migration.The statistic "Birth Rate Crude Per 1000 People" stands at 28.35 per mille as of 12/31/2023, the lowest value at least since 12/31/1961, the period currently displayed. Regarding the One-Year-Change of the series, the current value constitutes a decrease of -0.511 percentage points compared to the value the year prior.The 1 year change in percentage points is -0.511.The 3 year change in percentage points is -1.67.The 5 year change in percentage points is -2.88.The 10 year change in percentage points is -4.06.The Serie's long term average value is 43.09 per mille. It's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is 14.74 percentage points lower, compared to it's long term average value.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's minimum value, on 12/31/2023, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is +0.0.The Serie's change in percentage points from it's maximum value, on 12/31/1960, to it's latest available value, on 12/31/2023, is -24.53.

Actual value and historical data chart for Rwanda Birth Rate Crude Per 1 000 People

Rwanda RW: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data was reported at 67.129 Year in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 66.696 Year for 2015. Rwanda RW: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 45.824 Year from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 67.129 Year in 2016 and a record low of 27.610 Year in 1993. Rwanda RW: Life Expectancy at Birth: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Rwanda – Table RW.World Bank.WDI: Health Statistics. Life expectancy at birth indicates the number of years a newborn infant would live if prevailing patterns of mortality at the time of its birth were to stay the same throughout its life.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, or derived from male and female life expectancy at birth from sources such as: (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Abstract

From 2014 to 2015, with the aim of collecting data to monitor progress across Rwanda’s health programs and policies, the Government of Rwanda (GOR) conducted the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) through the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) with the members of the national steering committee to the DHS and the technical assistance of ICF International.

The main objectives of the 2014-15 RDHS were to: • Collect data at the national level to calculate essential demographic indicators, especially fertility and infant and child mortality, and analyze the direct and indirect factors that relate to levels and trends in fertility and child mortality • Measure levels of knowledge and use of contraceptive methods among women and men • Collect data on family health, including immunization practices; prevalence and treatment of diarrhea, acute upper respiratory infections, and fever among children under age 5; antenatal care visits; assistance at delivery; and postnatal care • Collect data on knowledge, prevention, and treatment of malaria, in particular the possession and use of treated mosquito nets among household members, especially children under age 5 and pregnant women • Collect data on feeding practices for children, including breastfeeding • Collect data on the knowledge and attitudes of women and men regarding sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV and evaluate recent behavioral changes with respect to condom use • Collect data for estimation of adult mortality and maternal mortality at the national level • Take anthropometric measurements to evaluate the nutritional status of children, men, and women • Assess the prevalence of malaria infection among children under age 5 and pregnant women using rapid diagnostic tests and blood smears • Estimate the prevalence of HIV among children age 0-14 and adults of reproductive age • Estimate the prevalence of anemia among children age 6-59 months and adult women of reproductive age • Collect information on early childhood development • Collect information on domestic violence

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Children age 0-5
• Woman age 15-49
• Man age 15-59

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women age 15-49 years and all men age 15-59 who were usual residents in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

Sample Design The sampling frame used for the 2014-15 RDHS was the 2012 Rwanda Population and Housing Census (RPHC). The sampling frame consisted of a list of enumeration areas (EAs) covering the entire country, provided by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, the implementing agency for the RDHS. An EA is a natural village or part of a village created for the 2012 RPHC; these areas served as counting units for the census.

The 2014-15 RDHS followed a two-stage sample design and was intended to allow estimates of key indicators at the national level as well as for urban and rural areas, five provinces, and each of Rwanda's 30 districts (for some limited indicators). The first stage involved selecting sample points (clusters) consisting of EAs delineated for the 2012 RPHC. A total of 492 clusters were selected, 113 in urban areas and 379 in rural areas.

The second stage involved systematic sampling of households. A household listing operation was undertaken in all of the selected EAs from July 7 to September 6, 2014, and households to be included in the survey were randomly selected from these lists. Twenty-six households were selected from each sample point, for a total sample size of 12,792 households. However, during data collection, one of the households was found to actually be two households, which increased the total sample to 12,793. Because of the approximately equal sample sizes in each district, the sample is not self-weighting at the national level, and weighting factors have been added to the data file so that the results will be proportional at the national level.

All women age 15-49 who were either permanent residents of the household or visitors who stayed in the household the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed. In half of the households, all men age 15-59 who either were permanent household residents or were visiting the night before the survey were eligible to be interviewed.

In the subsample of households not selected for the male survey, anemia and malaria testing were performed among eligible women who consented to being tested. With the parent's or guardian's consent, children aged 6-59 months were tested for anemia and malaria in this subsample. Height and weight information was collected from eligible women, and children (age 0-5) in the same subsample. In the subsample of households selected for male survey, blood spot samples were collected for laboratory testing of HIV from eligible women and men who consented. Height and weight information was collected from eligible men. In one-third of the same subsample (or 15 percent of the entire sample), blood spot samples were collected for laboratory testing of children age 0-14 for HIV.

The domestic violence module was implemented in the households selected for the male survey: The domestic violence module for men was implemented in 50 percent of the household selected for male survey and domestic violence for women was conducted in the remaining 50 percent of household selected for male survey (or 25 percent of the entire sample, each).

For further details on sample selection, see Appendix A of the final report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

Three types of questionnaires were used in the 2014-15 RDHS: the Household Questionnaire, the Woman’s Questionnaire, and the Man’s Questionnaire. They are based on questionnaires developed by the worldwide DHS Program and on questionnaires used during the 2010 RDHS. To reflect relevant issues in population and health in Rwanda, the questionnaires were adapted during a series of technical meetings with various stakeholders from government ministries and agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and international donors. The questionnaires were translated from English into Kinyarwanda.

The Household Questionnaire was used to list all of the usual members and visitors in the selected households as well as to identify women and men eligible for individual interviews. Basic information was collected on the characteristics of each person listed, including relationship to the head of the household, sex, residence status, age, and marital status along with survival status of children’s parents, education, birth registration, health insurance coverage, and tobacco use.

The Woman’s Questionnaire was administered to all women age 15-49 living in the sampled households.

The Man’s Questionnaire was administered to all men age 15-59 living in every second household in the sample. It was similar to the Woman’s Questionnaire but did not include questions on use of contraceptive methods or birth history; pregnancy and postnatal care; child immunization, health, and nutrition; or adult and maternal mortality.

Cleaning operations

The processing of the 2014-15 RDHS data began as soon as questionnaires were received from the field. Completed questionnaires were returned to NISR headquarters. The numbers of questionnaires and blood samples (DBS and malaria slides) were verified by two receptionists. Questionnaires were then checked, and open-ended questions were coded by four editors who had been trained for this task and who had also attended the questionnaire training sessions for the field staff. Blood samples (DBS and malaria slides) with transmittal sheets were sent respectively to the RBC/NRL and Parasitological and Entomology Laboratory to be screened for HIV and tested for malaria.

Questionnaire data were entered via the CSPro computer program by 17 data processing personnel who were specially trained to execute this activity. Data processing was coordinated by the NISR data processing officer. ICF International provided technical assistance during the entire data processing period.

Processing the data concurrently with data collection allowed for regular monitoring of team performance and data quality. Field check tables were generated regularly during data processing to check various data quality parameters. As a result, feedback was given on a regular basis, encouraging teams to continue in areas of high quality and to correct areas of needed improvement. Feedback was individually tailored to each team. Data entry, which included 100 percent double entry to minimize keying errors, and data editing were completed on April 26, 2015. Data cleaning and finalization were completed on May 15, 2015.

Response rate

A total of 6,249 men age 15-59 were identified in this subsample of households. Of these men, 6,217 completed individual interviews, yielding a response rate of 99.5 percent.

Sampling error estimates

The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: (1) nonsampling errors, and (2) sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2014-15 Rwanda

The total life expectancy at birth in Rwanda stood at 67.79 years in 2023. Between 1960 and 2023, the life expectancy at birth rose by 20.77 years, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.