Rwanda GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Rwanda has a fast-growing East African economy supported by services, construction, agriculture, tourism, and investment. This page examines its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+7.2%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#6
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
+0.2 pp
2025: +7.0%
Africa Rank
#4
Out of 54 countries
1. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Rwandan economic growth is supported by infrastructure, services, tourism, household demand, and public and private investment. Reform and urbanization remain important drivers.
2. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Rwanda’s growth history has been shaped by reconstruction, institutional reforms, infrastructure development, and expanding services. Investment has played a major role in modernization.
3. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +7.2% | +0.2 pp |
| 2025 | +7.0% | -0.2 pp |
| 2024 | +7.2% | -1.4 pp |
| 2023 | +8.6% | -1.2 pp |
| 2022 | +9.8% | +1.4 pp |
| 2021 | +8.4% | +11.2 pp |
| 2020 | -2.8% | -12.1 pp |
| 2019 | +9.3% | +1.2 pp |
| 2018 | +8.1% | +3.4 pp |
| 2017 | +4.7% | -1.0 pp |
| 2016 | +5.7% | -3.2 pp |
| 2015 | +8.9% | +3.2 pp |
| 2014 | +5.7% | +1.0 pp |
| 2013 | +4.7% | -3.9 pp |
| 2012 | +8.6% | +0.6 pp |
| 2011 | +8.0% | +0.7 pp |
| 2010 | +7.3% | +1.1 pp |
| 2009 | +6.2% | -5.0 pp |
| 2008 | +11.2% | +3.6 pp |
| 2007 | +7.6% | -1.6 pp |
| 2006 | +9.2% | -0.2 pp |
| 2005 | +9.4% | +2.0 pp |
| 2004 | +7.4% | +5.2 pp |
| 2003 | +2.2% | -11.0 pp |
| 2002 | +13.2% | +4.7 pp |
| 2001 | +8.5% | +0.1 pp |
| 2000 | +8.4% | +5.1 pp |
| 1999 | +3.3% | -5.0 pp |
| 1998 | +8.3% | -6.6 pp |
| 1997 | +14.9% | +3.3 pp |
| 1996 | +11.6% | -12.9 pp |
| 1995 | +24.5% | +66.4 pp |
| 1994 | -41.9% | -31.5 pp |
| 1993 | -10.4% | -17.0 pp |
| 1992 | +6.6% | +10.9 pp |
| 1991 | -4.3% | -4.7 pp |
| 1990 | +0.4% | +6.1 pp |
| 1989 | -5.7% | -6.0 pp |
| 1988 | +0.3% | +0.6 pp |
| 1987 | -0.3% | -5.8 pp |
| 1986 | +5.5% | +1.1 pp |
| 1985 | +4.4% | -8.6 pp |
| 1984 | +13.0% | +7.0 pp |
| 1983 | +6.0% | +8.5 pp |
| 1982 | -2.5% | -5.0 pp |
| 1981 | +2.5% | +6.1 pp |
| 1980 | -3.6% | — |
4. Rwanda GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+7.2%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+8.0%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+6.8%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+7.1%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from strong policy implementation, infrastructure spending, and a growing services sector. Its small domestic market remains a structural limitation.
5. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Rwanda
+7.2%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
3.6%
7.2%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Rwanda’s GDP growth rate is approximately
3.1 pp
above the
Africa average
and
4.4 pp
above the world average.
6. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #1 | Ethiopia | +9.2% |
| #2 | Guinea | +8.7% |
| #3 | Uganda | +7.5% |
| #4 | Rwanda | +7.2% |
| #5 | Benin | +7.0% |
| #6 | Niger | +6.7% |
| #7 | Libya | +6.7% |
| #8 | Ivory Coast | +6.2% |
| #9 | Djibouti | +6.0% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Rwanda
Rwanda GDP (Nominal)
$17.3 Billion
(2026)
Rwanda GDP Growth Rate
+7.2%
(2026)
Rwanda often grows faster than many regional and global economies due to continued investment and catch-up development. It remains one of Africa’s stronger reform-driven markets.
Explore more:
Rwanda GDP
9. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on investment, tourism, services, agriculture, and fiscal management. Debt, external financing, and regional instability remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +7.6% | +0.4 pp |
| 2028 | +6.8% | -0.8 pp |
| 2029 | +6.8% | 0.0 pp |
| 2030 | +6.8% | 0.0 pp |
10. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Rwanda GDP growth rate is estimated at +7.2% in 2026.
It ranks #6 globally and #4 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate accelerated by 0.2 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +8.0%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +6.8%.
The current rate is 3.1 percentage points above the Africa average.
The current rate is 4.4 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +6.8% in 2030, 0.4 percentage points below the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
November 2026
13. Rwanda GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Rwanda GDP growth rate is estimated at +7.2% in 2026.
Rwanda ranks #6 globally and #4 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +7.2% in 2026.
Rwanda GDP growth rate was +8.9% in 2015.
Rwanda GDP growth rate is 3.1 percentage points above the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.