Adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda
Rwanda: Adoption of communication technologies was 9,255 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda, 1960–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda is 9,255, measured in 2024.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 10.7% on the previous year and down 81.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda peaked at 49,612 in 2014 and was at its lowest, 600, in 1965.
Rwanda ranks 181st of 212 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 1,366 | — |
| 1961 | 1,366 | +0.0% |
| 1962 | 1,366 | +0.0% |
| 1963 | 1,366 | +0.0% |
| 1964 | 1,366 | +0.0% |
| 1965 | 600 | -56.1% |
| 1966 | 600 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 600 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 600 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 600 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 1,200 | +100.0% |
| 1971 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 1,200 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 2,300 | +91.7% |
| 1976 | 2,300 | +0.0% |
| 1977 | 2,500 | +8.7% |
| 1978 | 2,700 | +8.0% |
| 1979 | 2,800 | +3.7% |
| 1980 | 3,300 | +17.9% |
| 1981 | 3,340 | +1.2% |
| 1982 | 4,034 | +20.8% |
| 1983 | 4,666 | +15.7% |
| 1984 | 4,905 | +5.1% |
| 1985 | 5,168 | +5.4% |
| 1986 | 5,444 | +5.3% |
| 1987 | 6,561 | +20.5% |
| 1988 | 8,171 | +24.5% |
| 1989 | 9,213 | +12.8% |
| 1990 | 10,381 | +12.7% |
| 1991 | 11,298 | +8.8% |
| 1992 | 11,763 | +4.1% |
| 1993 | 11,000 | -6.5% |
| 1994 | 10,000 | -9.1% |
| 1995 | 6,900 | -31.0% |
| 1996 | 10,254 | +48.6% |
| 1997 | 11,621 | +13.3% |
| 1998 | 10,825 | -6.8% |
| 1999 | 12,651 | +16.9% |
| 2000 | 17,568 | +38.9% |
| 2001 | 21,500 | +22.4% |
| 2002 | 25,105 | +16.8% |
| 2003 | 25,565 | +1.8% |
| 2004 | 22,972 | -10.1% |
| 2005 | 23,601 | +2.7% |
| 2006 | 23,362 | -1.0% |
| 2007 | 23,123 | -1.0% |
| 2008 | 16,770 | -27.5% |
| 2009 | 33,451 | +99.5% |
| 2010 | 39,664 | +18.6% |
| 2011 | 38,901 | -1.9% |
| 2012 | 44,363 | +14.0% |
| 2013 | 45,338 | +2.2% |
| 2014 | 49,612 | +9.4% |
| 2015 | 16,983 | -65.8% |
| 2016 | 13,403 | -21.1% |
| 2017 | 12,333 | -8.0% |
| 2018 | 12,960 | +5.1% |
| 2019 | 11,393 | -12.1% |
| 2020 | 11,671 | +2.4% |
| 2021 | 11,893 | +1.9% |
| 2022 | 10,327 | -13.2% |
| 2023 | 8,361 | -19.0% |
| 2024 | 9,255 | +10.7% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 9,255 is below the median for low income countries, which is 44,127, 21% of the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 9,255 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56,011, 17% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | +100.0% | 600 | 1,200 |
| 2009 | +99.5% | 16,770 | 33,451 |
| 1975 | +91.7% | 1,200 | 2,300 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 983 | 600 | 1,366 | 10 |
| 1970s | 1,860 | 1,200 | 2,800 | 10 |
| 1980s | 5,480 | 3,300 | 9,213 | 10 |
| 1990s | 10,669 | 6,900 | 12,651 | 10 |
| 2000s | 23,302 | 16,770 | 33,451 | 10 |
| 2010s | 28,495 | 11,393 | 49,612 | 10 |
| 2020s | 10,301 | 8,361 | 11,893 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
- 178 Equatorial Guinea 11,389 compare
- 179 Liechtenstein 9,892 compare
- 180 American Samoa 9,693 compare
- 182 Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 9,077 compare
- 183 Comoros 8,823 compare
- 184 Lesotho 7,980 compare
More reference data data for Rwanda
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.2282 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 0.9517 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 1.38 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1223 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 1.38 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.7651 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.9517 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 4.27 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 6.98 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.666 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Rwanda was 9,255 in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 49,612 in 2014.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 600 in 1965.
- How does Rwanda rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Rwanda ranks 181st out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 81.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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