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Rwanda economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Rwanda ranked 144/197 by economy size with a GDP of $14.3B and 178/197 by GDP per capita at $1,000. Rwanda has $9.58B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 67.2%.

In 2024, Rwanda made up 0.01% of the world's economy, compared to 0.009% in 1960.

Rwanda GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Inflation-adjusted growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $14,251,642,235 8.89%
2023 $14,331,722,703 8.25%
2022 $13,316,161,002 8.16%
2021 $11,078,787,090 10.9%
2020 $10,174,386,857 -3.37%
2019 $10,349,300,277 9.45%
2018 $9,637,904,521 8.52%
2017 $9,252,833,891 3.92%
2016 $8,695,272,058 5.97%
2015 $8,543,760,200 8.86%
2014 $8,238,966,124 6.17%
2013 $7,819,964,030 4.72%
2012 $7,654,761,050 8.64%
2011 $6,884,913,658 7.96%
2010 $6,124,756,654 7.33%
2009 $5,674,476,969 6.25%
2008 $5,179,854,065 11.2%
2007 $4,070,507,895 7.63%
2006 $3,319,784,539 9.23%
2005 $2,933,819,766 9.38%
2004 $2,376,496,067 7.45%
2003 $2,138,237,279 2.2%
2002 $1,966,003,468 13.2%
2001 $1,966,600,715 8.48%
2000 $2,068,836,754 8.37%
1999 $2,157,108,263 4.35%
1998 $1,989,343,546 8.86%
1997 $1,851,558,197 13.8%
1996 $1,382,334,879 12.7%
1995 $1,293,535,193 35.2%
1994 $753,636,370 -50.2%
1993 $1,971,525,712 -8.11%
1992 $2,029,026,962 5.87%
1991 $1,911,600,237 -2.51%
1990 $2,550,185,679 -2.4%
1989 $2,405,022,593 -0.04%
1988 $2,395,492,687 4.5%
1987 $2,157,432,668 -0.02%
1986 $1,944,710,684 5.47%
1985 $1,715,626,331 4.4%
1984 $1,587,413,084 -4.24%
1983 $1,479,687,587 5.98%
1982 $1,407,243,139 1.81%
1981 $1,407,062,527 5.44%
1980 $1,254,765,642 8.95%
1979 $1,109,346,131 11.9%
1978 $905,709,076 9.15%
1977 $746,650,613 1.99%
1976 $637,753,853 19.5%
1975 $571,863,500 -2.11%
1974 $308,458,423 1.41%
1973 $290,746,157 3.44%
1972 $246,457,838 0.26%
1971 $222,952,504 1.21%
1970 $219,900,006 6%
1969 $188,700,037 11%
1968 $172,200,018 7.01%
1967 $159,560,018 6.92%
1966 $124,525,703 7.01%
1965 $148,799,980 7.01%
1964 $129,999,994 -12.5%
1963 $128,000,000 -9.82%
1962 $125,000,008 11.3%
1961 $122,000,016 -4.3%
1960 $119,000,024 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda | CC BY

Rwanda GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,000 $3,711
2023 $1,027 $3,399
2022 $975 $3,099
2021 $830 $2,733
2020 $779 $2,285
2019 $810 $2,336
2018 $772 $2,125
2017 $758 $1,968
2016 $730 $1,866
2015 $734 $1,781
2014 $725 $1,678
2013 $705 $1,512
2012 $707 $1,455
2011 $651 $1,413
2010 $594 $1,314
2009 $564 $1,241
2008 $528 $1,191
2007 $426 $1,079
2006 $357 $1,002
2005 $324 $914
2004 $269.5 $832
2003 $249 $775
2002 $234 $760
2001 $237.3 $670
2000 $251.9 $609
1999 $264.7 $554
1998 $246.2 $528
1997 $238.7 $500
1996 $206 $499
1995 $228 $514
1994 $111 $311
1993 $247 $521
1992 $264.1 $575
1991 $254 $542
1990 $346 $549
1989 $335 -
1988 $344 -
1987 $320 -
1986 $297.7 -
1985 $271.6 -
1984 $259.9 -
1983 $250.6 -
1982 $246.4 -
1981 $254.6 -
1980 $234.4 -
1979 $213.8 -
1978 $179.9 -
1977 $152.7 -
1976 $134.4 -
1975 $124.1 -
1974 $68.9 -
1973 $66.9 -
1972 $58.4 -
1971 $54.4 -
1970 $55.2 -
1969 $48.9 -
1968 $46 -
1967 $44 -
1966 $35.4 -
1965 $43.5 -
1964 $39 -
1963 $39.3 -
1962 $39.2 -
1961 $39.3 -
1960 $39.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda | CC BY

Rwanda has a GDP per capita of $1,000, ranking 178/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $3,711, ranking 168/197, and a median annual after tax income of $2,194, ranking 158/197.

Rwanda GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 139 167 154
2023 142 173 164
2022 142 175 167
2021 144 179 169
2020 144 180 177
2019 145 179 174
2018 146 180 174
2017 145 181 179
2016 143 178 177
2015 146 181 177
2014 148 182 178
2013 148 183 182
2012 146 181 181
2011 146 185 185
2010 147 184 185
2009 145 185 186
2008 148 182 186
2007 151 182 185
2006 153 183 185
2005 152 183 184
2004 151 188 184
2003 152 185 185
2002 147 184 186
2001 146 183 186
2000 145 181 187
1999 143 178 185
1998 143 179 182
1997 146 180 181
1996 151 182 179
1995 152 177 179
1994 156 184 181
1993 133 170 177
1992 133 165 175
1991 139 170 176
1990 130 157 174
1989 112 140 -
1988 113 144 -
1987 111 141 -
1986 104 138 -
1985 105 139 -
1984 106 137 -
1983 108 143 -
1982 109 142 -
1981 107 144 -
1980 110 145 -
1979 106 136 -
1978 107 136 -
1977 107 137 -
1976 111 137 -
1975 113 137 -
1974 117 139 -
1973 116 139 -
1972 116 139 -
1971 115 139 -
1970 114 139 -
1969 107 120 -
1968 108 120 -
1967 107 119 -
1966 106 116 -
1965 104 115 -
1964 103 112 -
1963 102 112 -
1962 100 112 -
1961 100 110 -
1960 97 108 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Rwanda is ranked 139th out of 182 by GDP (up from 145th), 167th by GDP per capita (up from 181st), and 154th by GDP per capita PPP (up from 187th).

Economic indicators

Rwanda Rank
Gross domestic product
$14.3B
2024
144/197
GDP growth
8.89%
2023-2024
5/194
GDP per capita
$1,000
2024
178/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,711
2024
168/197
Government debt
$9.58B
2024
127/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
67.2%
2024
65/185
Government debt per person
$672
2024
157/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,194
2026
158/197
Listed domestic companies
5
2024
102/103
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.75B
2024
87/100
Income share by richest 10%
33.4%
2023
27/169
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2023
55/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
28.8%
2024
104/195
Consumer prices inflation
1.77%
2023-2024
146/195
Central bank interest rate
6.75%
2025
42/106
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2024
29/196
Population
14975051
77/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 28.8% 67.2% -6.57%
2023 27% 63.4% -5.04%
2022 29.7% 60.9% -5.74%
2021 31.6% 67.3% -7%
2020 33.5% 68.7% -9.54%
2019 28.2% 53.6% -5.08%
2018 26.4% 49.2% -2.57%
2017 25.1% 45.6% -2.52%
2016 25.1% 41.1% -2.27%
2015 26.6% 33.1% -2.68%
2014 27.5% 29.1% -3.92%
2013 26.2% 26.7% -1.27%
2012 24.6% 19.1% -2.38%
2011 24.7% 18.7% -0.86%
2010 23.8% 18.8% -0.64%
2009 22.3% 18.5% 0.26%
2008 22.5% 18.3% 0.83%
2007 22.4% 22.1% -1.56%
2006 20.6% 22.5% -0.03%
2005 19.9% 58.9% 1.12%
2004 17.9% 80.9% 2.27%
2003 18.5% 79.5% -1.23%
2002 20.5% 92% -2.03%
2001 19.1% 84% -1.8%
2000 18.2% 86% -0.22%
1999 22.4% 78.4% -4.41%
1998 16.4% 70.1% -2.59%
1997 17% 72.2% -2.22%
1996 19.5% 83.4% -5.01%
1995 18% 100.8% -2.04%
1994 13.3% - -9.54%
1993 20.3% - -6.6%
1992 21.5% - -7.21%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda | CC BY

This chart shows Rwanda's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 33 years, Rwanda recorded a fiscal deficit in 29 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 3.03% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $4.1B (28.8% of GDP), with a deficit of 6.57%.

The national debt reached $9.58B, ranking 127th out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 67.2%, ranking 65th.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 1.77%
2023 19.8%
2022 17.7%
2021 -0.39%
2020 9.85%
2019 3.35%
2018 -0.31%
2017 8.28%
2016 7.17%
2015 2.53%
2014 2.35%
2013 5.92%
2012 10.3%
2011 3.08%
2010 -0.25%
2009 12.9%
2008 15.4%
2007 9.08%
2006 8.88%
2005 9.01%
2004 12.3%
2003 7.45%
2002 1.99%
2001 3.34%
2000 3.9%
1999 -2.41%
1998 6.21%
1997 12%
1996 7.41%
1995 -
1994 -
1993 12.4%
1992 9.56%
1991 19.6%
1990 4.19%
1989 1.01%
1988 2.98%
1987 4.13%
1986 -1.12%
1985 1.76%
1984 5.37%
1983 6.59%
1982 12.6%
1981 6.45%
1980 7.25%
1979 15.7%
1978 13.3%
1977 13.7%
1976 7.17%
1975 30.2%
1974 31.1%
1973 9.37%
1972 3.09%
1971 0.49%
1970 0.51%
1969 0.48%
1968 3.16%
1967 1.45%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1967–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Rwanda has had an average annual inflation rate of 7.32%. In 2024, inflation was 1.77%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Rwanda Rank
Current account balance
-$1.81B
2024
140/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-12.7%
2024
167/190
Goods imports
$5.55B
2024
133/189
Goods exports
$3.2B
2024
132/189
Service imports
$991M
2024
147/189
Service exports
$1.08B
2024
135/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
39.1%
2024
102/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
30.8%
2024
110/193

Rwanda top 10 trading partners

Rwanda's biggest trading partner accounting for 16.6% of all exports and imports is the United Arab Emirates, with a trade balance between the two of +$120M: Rwanda exports $457M worth of goods and services to the United Arab Emirates and imports $337M.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Rwanda.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 UAE $794M 16.6% $457M $337M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
2 China $729M 15.2% $8.41M $720M Raw materials & minerals Machinery & equipment
3 Kenya $387M 8.09% $116M $272M Raw agricultural goods Metals
4 India $306M 6.38% $16.4M $289M Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
5 Tanzania $282M 5.88% $1.37M $280M Metals Raw agricultural goods
6 Greece $276M 5.77% $276M $590K Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
7 DR Congo $181M 3.77% $154M $26.7M Raw agricultural goods Metals
8 Zambia $131M 2.74% $99.3M $31.8M Miscellaneous Processed food, beverages & tobacco
9 Belgium $126M 2.64% $14.6M $112M Raw agricultural goods Raw agricultural goods
10 United States $109M 2.27% $24.3M $84.3M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Rwanda Rank
Transport & tourism services $738M 126/188
Raw agricultural goods $645M 80/193
Precious metals & jewellery $456M 79/190
Government & miscellaneous services $197M 52/180
Metals $75.6M 124/192
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $62M 138/192
Miscellaneous $58.7M 69/191
Raw materials & minerals $43.7M 156/193
Machinery & equipment $33.9M 146/193
IT & IP services $27M 135/183

Top 10 imports

Rwanda Rank
Raw materials & minerals $797M 142/193
Machinery & equipment $765M 147/193
Transport & tourism services $765M 133/188
Chemicals & pharma $375M 143/193
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $339M 138/193
Raw agricultural goods $322M 123/193
Textiles & consumer goods $312M 138/193
Metals $304M 138/193
Wood & paper products $97.2M 138/193
Manufacturing & construction services $42.8M 103/163

Economic freedom indices

Rwanda Rank
Economic freedom 56.5 121/197
Property rights 60.3 68/182
Government integrity 53.9 55/182
Judicial effectiveness 27.5 135/182
Tax burden 80.6 82/182
Government spending 75.7 82/180
Fiscal health 37.5 141/181
Business freedom 60.1 109/182
Labor freedom 49.1 140/182
Monetary freedom 72.3 110/180
Trade freedom 61.8 144/181
Investment freedom 60 83/181
Financial freedom 40 122/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 56.5 27.5 80.6 75.7 37.5
2025 54.8 27.1 81.3 73.8 35
2024 51.6 26.9 79.1 70.1 12.5
2023 52.2 52.7 78.9 71.1 11.1
2022 57.1 26.6 79.1 76.3 61.6
2021 68.3 75.2 79.5 78.5 78
2020 70.9 78.3 79.2 79.8 86.7
2019 71.1 83.2 79.8 79.4 86.3
2018 69.1 79.6 75.8 77.7 82.3
2017 67.6 68.8 79.8 77.3 83.3
2016 63.1 - 80.1 77.1 -
2015 64.8 - 80.2 79.2 -
2014 64.7 - 80.3 78.2 -
2013 64.1 - 80.4 75.9 -
2012 64.9 - 77.2 78.5 -
2011 62.7 - 76.9 78.6 -
2010 59.1 - 77.1 75.6 -
2009 54.2 - 76.8 76.8 -
2008 54.2 - 76.9 75.6 -
2007 52.4 - 73.9 79.6 -
2006 52.8 - 73.9 82.6 -
2005 51.7 - 70.5 86.4 -
2004 53.3 - 66.9 89.5 -
2003 47.8 - 67 89.5 -
2002 50.4 - 67 88 -
2001 45.4 - 67 95.7 -
2000 42.3 - 67 96.4 -
1999 39.8 - 67.3 85.1 -
1998 39.1 - 67.6 88 -
1997 38.3 - 67.9 92.2 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda | CC BY

Rwanda is ranked 108/174 for economic freedom with a score of 56.5, compared to 126/162 and a score of 52.8 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Rwanda Rank
Services, % of GDP
47.6%
2024
146/191
Industry, % of GDP
21%
2024
123/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
22/193
GNI, Atlas method
$14.8B
2024
143/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,620
2024
165/191
Total reserves including gold
$2.41B
2024
123/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$560M
2024
103/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$573M
2024
113/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$13.2M
2024
116/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
3.09%
2024
80/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
27.4%
2023
65/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
60/178

Compare Rwanda vs other countries

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/rwanda | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1992–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1997–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2023, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.