Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda

Rwanda: Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line was 39.9% in 2023. ▼ Falling

Latest (2023)
39.9%
World rank
14th
of 123 countries
All-time high
82.3%
in 2000
All-time low
39.9%
in 2023
Years of data
6
2000–2023

Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda, 2000–2023

0204060802000201120232000: 82.3 % of population2005: 74.2 % of population2010: 70.2 % of population2013: 65.2 % of population2016: 63.8 % of population2023: 39.9 % of population

Source: World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Measured in % of population.

Analysis

The most recent figure for poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda is 39.9%, measured in 2023. That is the lowest value across all 6 years on record.

That represents a change of down 38.8% over ten years.

Over the whole period, poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda peaked at 82.3% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 39.9%, in 2023.

That places Rwanda 14th out of 123 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the top quarter.

Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda, year by year

Annual values for Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population) in Rwanda, 2000 to 2023.
Year % of population Change
2000 82.3%
2005 74.2% -9.8%
2010 70.2% -5.4%
2013 65.2% -7.1%
2016 63.8% -2.1%
2023 39.9% -37.5%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
2000s 78.2% 74.2% 82.3% 2
2010s 66.4% 63.8% 70.2% 3
2020s 39.9% 39.9% 39.9% 1

Countries ranked near Rwanda

  1. 11 Nigeria 41.8% compare
  2. 12 Ghana 41.2% compare
  3. 13 Guinea-Bissau 40.4% compare
  4. 15 Ethiopia 39.7% compare
  5. 16 Mali 39.4% compare
  6. 17 Togo 38.9% compare

See the full ranking of 137 places →

More poverty & inequality data for Rwanda

All data for Rwanda →

Frequently asked questions

What is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda?
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda was 39.9% in 2023, according to World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ.
What is the highest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Rwanda?
The highest recorded value was 82.3% in 2000.
What is the lowest poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line recorded in Rwanda?
The lowest recorded value was 39.9% in 2023.
How does Rwanda rank for poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line?
Rwanda ranks 14th out of 123 countries with data for 2023.
Is poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line rising or falling in Rwanda?
Over the last ten years it is down 38.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Rwanda data come from?
The figures come from World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ, published as part of Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line in Rwanda. Statizoid, drawing on World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ. Retrieved 05 September 2026, from https://poverty.statizoid.com/stat/poverty-headcount-ratio-at-societal-poverty-line-percent-of-population/rwanda/

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About this data

Indicator
Poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line (% of population)
Unit
% of population
Source
World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income econ
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
137 places, 2,860 data points, 1963–2025
Last refreshed

The poverty headcount ratio at societal poverty line is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to the World Bank's Societal Poverty Line. The Societal Poverty Line is expressed in purchasing power adjusted 2021 U.S. dollars and defined as max($3.00, $1.30 + 0.5*Median). This means that when the national median is sufficiently low, the Societal Poverty line is equivalent to the extreme poverty line, $3.00. For countries with a sufficiently high national median, the Societal Poverty Line grows as countries’ median income grows.