Primary education, pupils in Rwanda
Rwanda: Primary education, pupils was 3.01 million in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Primary education, pupils in Rwanda, 1971–2024
Source: Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for primary education, pupils in Rwanda is 3.01 million, measured in 2024. That is the highest value across all 49 years on record.
That represents a change of up 5.9% on the previous year and up 25.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, primary education, pupils in Rwanda peaked at 3.01 million in 2024 and was at its lowest, 386,719, in 1975.
That places Rwanda 52nd out of 206 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Primary education, pupils in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | 419,059 | — |
| 1972 | 404,357 | -3.5% |
| 1973 | 399,450 | -1.2% |
| 1974 | 397,752 | -0.4% |
| 1975 | 386,719 | -2.8% |
| 1976 | 401,521 | +3.8% |
| 1977 | 434,150 | +8.1% |
| 1978 | 463,442 | +6.7% |
| 1979 | 515,712 | +11.3% |
| 1980 | 559,291 | +8.5% |
| 1981 | 615,282 | +10.0% |
| 1982 | 647,025 | +5.2% |
| 1983 | 645,188 | -0.3% |
| 1984 | 658,877 | +2.1% |
| 1985 | 681,639 | +3.5% |
| 1986 | 721,844 | +5.9% |
| 1987 | 783,311 | +8.5% |
| 1988 | 844,322 | +7.8% |
| 1989 | 899,811 | +6.6% |
| 1990 | 928,143 | +3.1% |
| 1991 | 970,209 | +4.5% |
| 1992 | 1.03 million | +5.9% |
| 1997 | 1.15 million | +12.4% |
| 1998 | 1.27 million | +10.0% |
| 1999 | 1.29 million | +1.4% |
| 2000 | 1.43 million | +11.1% |
| 2001 | 1.48 million | +3.1% |
| 2002 | 1.53 million | +4.0% |
| 2003 | 1.64 million | +6.7% |
| 2004 | 1.75 million | +7.1% |
| 2005 | 1.86 million | +6.0% |
| 2006 | 2.02 million | +8.7% |
| 2007 | 2.15 million | +6.5% |
| 2008 | 2.19 million | +1.9% |
| 2009 | 2.26 million | +3.4% |
| 2010 | 2.30 million | +1.5% |
| 2011 | 2.34 million | +1.8% |
| 2012 | 2.39 million | +2.3% |
| 2013 | 2.40 million | +0.3% |
| 2014 | 2.40 million | -0.1% |
| 2015 | 2.45 million | +2.1% |
| 2016 | 2.55 million | +3.9% |
| 2017 | 2.54 million | -0.2% |
| 2018 | 2.50 million | -1.4% |
| 2019 | 2.51 million | +0.3% |
| 2021 | 2.73 million | +8.6% |
| 2022 | 2.74 million | +0.5% |
| 2023 | 2.84 million | +3.5% |
| 2024 | 3.01 million | +5.9% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 3.01 million is above the median for low income countries, which is 3.01 million, 1.0× the median. (23 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 3.01 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.40 million, 1.3× the median. (47 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 424,685 | 386,719 | 515,712 | 9 |
| 1980s | 705,659 | 559,291 | 899,811 | 10 |
| 1990s | 1.11 million | 928,143 | 1.29 million | 6 |
| 2000s | 1.83 million | 1.43 million | 2.26 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.44 million | 2.30 million | 2.55 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 2.83 million | 2.73 million | 3.01 million | 4 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
More education data for Rwanda
- Teachers in secondary education, both sexes (number), gaps filled 34,324 (2024)
- Repeaters in primary education, all grades, both sexes (number), gaps 795,920 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, male (number), gaps filled 305,636 (2024)
- Enrolment in pre-primary education, female (number), gaps filled 299,593 (2024)
- Secondary education, pupils, gaps filled 901,617 (2024)
- Primary education, duration (years), annual growth rate 0 % change on previous year (2025)
- Primary education, pupils, gaps filled 3.01 million (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, annual growth rate 5.93 % change on previous year (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per unit of GDP 0.0002 units per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Primary education, pupils, per capita 0.2109 units per person (2024)
Frequently asked questions
- What is primary education, pupils in Rwanda?
- Primary education, pupils in Rwanda was 3.01 million in 2024, according to Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).
- What is the highest primary education, pupils recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 3.01 million in 2024.
- What is the lowest primary education, pupils recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 386,719 in 1975.
- How does Rwanda rank for primary education, pupils?
- Rwanda ranks 52nd out of 206 countries with data for 2024.
- Is primary education, pupils rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 25.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Rwanda data come from?
- The figures come from Data API, UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), published as part of Primary education, pupils. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Primary education pupils is the total number of pupils enrolled at primary level in public and private schools.