Country profile

Rwanda emerged from conflict in the nineties and was faced with many challenges to reconstruct the country. Since then it has made tremendous progress in its socio-economic development.

The country is striving to rebuild its economy, with coffee and tea production being among its main sources of foreign exchange.

More than half (56.9%) of the population live below the poverty line. In 2000, 40% of children between the ages of 7-14 were orphans.

The major projects are taking place in Nyagatare District (Maize Innovation Platform) and Gicumbi District (Potato Innovation Platform).

Rwanda at a glance

Population	9.7 million
Land area	26,338 sq km
Life expectancy	45 men, 48 women Source UN
GNI per capita	US$230 Source World Bank, 2006
Average per capita income:	Per capita income (2008 est) US$370. Purchasing power parity (2006 est) US$1,600 Source US State Department 2008
Growth rate	Real GDP growth rate (2008 est) 11.2% Source US State Department 2008
% of people not meeting daily food needs	60% below national poverty line Source UN Statistics Division 2000
Work force	Agriculture 90%; Industry and commerce, services, and government 10% Source US State Department 2000

Map of the provinces of Rwanda and its surrounding countries