From Data to Direction
Posted: Feb 25, 2026
The official release of the 7th Integrated Household Living Conditions Survey (EICV7) at the Kigali Convention Center reaffirmed Rwanda’s commitment to evidence-based development. Conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda, EICV7 provides the most comprehensive and updated assessment of household welfare, poverty levels, employment, education, and access to essential services across the country.
The survey shows that 27.4% of the population was living in poverty in 2023/24. Using consistent methodology, modelling indicates that the poverty rate would have been 39.8% in 2016/17, demonstrating a significant decline over the past seven years. This reduction reflects meaningful improvements in living standards and household resilience nationwide.
Health insurance coverage expanded to 85.3%, an 11-percentage point increase since EICV5. Northern Province leads with 92% coverage, while other provinces range between 83% and 85%, signaling sustained progress toward universal health coverage and strengthened social protection systems.
Education outcomes also improved, with 92% of the population aged six years and above having attended school, up from 87% in EICV5. The gains are consistent across provinces, rural and urban areas, and across gender, reinforcing Rwanda’s continued investment in human capital development.
Labor market participation remains strong, with a workforce-to-population ratio of approximately 80%. Employment is still predominantly concentrated in agriculture (62%), followed by services (27%) and industry (11%), highlighting both resilience and the strategic importance of continued economic diversification and productivity enhancement.
Overall, EICV7 confirms measurable socio-economic progress while underscoring the need for sustained structural transformation and targeted policy refinement. For decision-makers, the message is clear: high-quality data must inform high-impact action.
At The Result, we support institutions in translating national statistics into strategic decisions. Through advanced data analysis, policy interpretation, monitoring and evaluation design, and capacity building in analytical tools, we help organizations turn insights into measurable results. As Rwanda advances toward Vision 2050, leveraging evidence such as EICV7 will be critical to accelerating inclusive and sustainable growth.
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