Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Rwanda

Rwanda: Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates was 5.4% in 2025. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2025)
5.4%
Change on year
down 52.7%
World rank
91st
of 185 countries
All-time high
15.8%
in 2021
All-time low
0.3%
in 1991
Years of data
15
1989–2025

Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Rwanda, 1989–2025

0510151989200720251989: 0.8 %1991: 0.3 %1996: 0.564 %2002: 0.895 %2012: 3.4 %2014: 1.2 %2017: 11.9 %2018: 10.8 %2019: 11.2 %2020: 11.8 %2021: 15.8 %2022: 15.1 %2023: 12.4 %2024: 11.3 %2025: 5.4 %

Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Rwanda is 5.4%, measured in 2025.

That represents a change of down 52.7% on the previous year and up 358.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Rwanda peaked at 15.8% in 2021 and was at its lowest, 0.3%, in 1991.

That places Rwanda 91st out of 185 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.

The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1980s 0.8% 0.8% 0.8% 1
1990s 0.4% 0.3% 0.6% 2
2000s 0.9% 0.9% 0.9% 1
2010s 7.7% 1.2% 11.9% 5
2020s 12.0% 5.4% 15.8% 6

Countries ranked near Rwanda

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  6. 94 New Zealand 5.3% compare

See the full ranking of 185 places →

More reference data data for Rwanda

All data for Rwanda →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Rwanda?
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates in Rwanda was 5.4% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
What is the highest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Rwanda?
The highest recorded value was 15.8% in 2021.
What is the lowest unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates recorded in Rwanda?
The lowest recorded value was 0.3% in 1991.
How does Rwanda rank for unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates?
Rwanda ranks 91st out of 185 countries with data for 2025.
Is unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates rising or falling in Rwanda?
Over the last ten years it is up 358.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
Where does this Rwanda data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment rates: modeled vs. national estimates
Unit
%
Source
Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
185 places, 5,169 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Share of the labor force without work, but actively looking for a job and available to start soon. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.