Rwanda

Population- 11.4 million (CIA July 2011 est.)

GNI- US$520 (World Bank 2009)

Size-  26,338 sq km

Major religions- Christianity, Islam

Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty line- 58.5% (World Bank 2005)

Life Expectancy- 55 (World Bank 2009)

Literacy rate- 77% (World Bank 2009)

Corruption statistics (Transparency International rating /10 (world ranking in brackets))- 4 (66)

Unemployment- 0.6% (World Bank 1996)

Percentage primary school enrolment- 151% (World Bank 2009)

Percentage of population with access to improved water source- 65% (CIA 2008)

Infant mortality rate (deaths of children under 1 year of age per 1,000 of the population)- 64.04 (CIA 2011 est.)

HIV/Aids prevalence rate- 2.9% (CIA 2009 est.)

Physicians/ 1,000 population- 0.024 (CIA 2005)

Summary Profile

In 1994 Rwanda experienced one of the most horrific tragedies that the world has ever seen. The world stood by while close to a million Rwandans, primarily Tutsis, were killed. Rwanda, today, is depicted  by its government as a economically dynamic country which embraces change however almost two-thirds of the population remain under the poverty line. Politically, it is feared that opposition is supressed by President Kagame’s government. Almost 40% of the rural population have no access to clean water. Political and ethnic tensions remain simmering under the surface and millions remain in need of help. The way the country has bounced back from genocide has been remarkable but poverty remains a huge obstacle to further development.