Population in Rwanda
Senior 2 · Geography and Environment
Population in Rwanda
Lesson 4 of 4
25 min
Rwanda grew from 8,128,553 people in 2002 to 10,515,973 in 2012 and 13,246,394 in 2022. That is about 270,000 more people each year. Growth brings workers and markets, but it also needs land, schools, jobs and food. Much of the future depends on choices young people make, including decisions about early sexual activity. This lesson covers both.
The 2022 census recorded 367,312 births in the year, in a population of 13,246,394. Calculate the crude birth rate.
Between 2012 and 2022, Rwanda's population actually grew by an average of about 2.3% a year. At that rate, a population doubles in about 70 ÷ 2.3 ≈ 30 years.
Early sexual activity means sexual activity at a young age, before a person is physically, emotionally and legally ready. Under Rwandan law, anyone under 18 is a child, and an adult who has sex with a child commits a serious crime.
| Type of risk | Examples |
|---|---|
| Health | Unplanned teenage pregnancy, which carries higher risks for a young mother and her baby; sexually transmitted infections, including HIV; emotional stress |
| Social | Dropping out of school; stigma; conflict in the family |
| Economic | Lost education and lower future earnings; the cost of raising a child early; a cycle of poverty |
Prevention: choose to delay sexual activity; get accurate information from teachers, health workers and trusted adults; say no to peer pressure; avoid alcohol and risky situations; set goals for education and career; and report abuse to parents, teachers, local leaders or the police. Isange One Stop Centres give free help to victims of abuse.
Tip
Memory hook. Natural increase in % = (birth rate − death rate) ÷ 10. Doubling time ≈ 70 ÷ growth rate (%). For early sexual activity, remember the three kinds of risk: H-S-E (Health, Social, Economic). "Delay, Decide, Discuss": delay sexual activity, decide on your goals, discuss with a trusted adult.
Solution: 30 − 7 = 23 per 1,000 = 2.3%.
Solution: 70 ÷ 2 = 35 years.
Solution: land shortage and unemployment (also pressure on services, degradation).
Solution: girls who stay in school tend to marry and have children later, and to have fewer, healthier children.
Solution: health: teenage pregnancy or STIs/HIV; social: dropping out of school; economic: lower future earnings.
Summary
Sources and credits
The growth calculations, the section on early sexual activity, the worked examples and the practice items are written by Ganzaa.
This lesson adapts CC BY-SA material and is shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.
