MigrantoImmigrants in Rwanda
504.5K foreigners live in Rwanda — 4% of the country's population
Immigrants in Rwanda by country
The 3 largest groups make up 91% of all immigrants
| Country | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| DR Congo | 236385 |
| Burundi | 130912 |
| Uganda | 91955 |
| Tanzania | 42664 |
| Kenya | 2572 |
By region of origin
100% of immigrants come from Africa
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Key facts
Immigrants in Rwanda in numbers
Congolese are the largest group by a wide margin
47% of all immigrants were born in DR Congo, while the next group accounts for just 26%.
Immigrant population in Rwanda over time
Foreigners living in Rwanda, by year
| Year | Immigrants |
|---|---|
| 1990 | 139805 |
| 1995 | 201277 |
| 2000 | 337752 |
| 2005 | 405872 |
| 2010 | 410794 |
| 2015 | 505797 |
| 2020 | 505069 |
| 2024 | 504488 |
Largest groups over time
The 5 largest groups in Rwanda, by year
| Year | Congolese | Burundians | Ugandans | Tanzanians | Kenyans |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | 62526 | 26393 | 34106 | 15825 | 955 |
| 1995 | 89770 | 37445 | 48486 | 24121 | 1455 |
| 2000 | 163420 | 56107 | 79241 | 36766 | 2218 |
| 2005 | 197717 | 68762 | 93430 | 43346 | 2617 |
| 2010 | 207397 | 64931 | 92808 | 43060 | 2598 |
| 2015 | 233744 | 134501 | 92195 | 42776 | 2581 |
| 2020 | 236657 | 131063 | 92061 | 42713 | 2575 |
| 2024 | 236385 | 130912 | 91955 | 42664 | 2572 |
Fastest-changing groups
How each group's numbers have changed since the selected year
Share of each diaspora living in Rwanda
Of each group's emigrants worldwide, the share who live in Rwanda
Data source: International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division)
Frequently asked questions
How many foreigners live in Rwanda?
Around 504.5K immigrants live in Rwanda — the world's #79 largest immigrant population.
What percentage of the population of Rwanda are immigrants?
Immigrants make up around 4% of the population of Rwanda — that's 504.5K out of a total population of 14.3M.
Where do most immigrants in Rwanda come from?
Most immigrants in Rwanda come from DR Congo, Burundi and Uganda — these three countries account for about 91% of all immigrants.
How many Congolese live in Rwanda?
Around 236.4K Congolese live in Rwanda — about 47% of all immigrants, the largest group.
Is the immigrant population in Rwanda growing?
Barely — over the past decade, the number of immigrants in Rwanda has changed from 505.8K to 504.5K, about 0%.
Where does the data on immigrants in Rwanda come from?
The source is International Migrant Stock 2024 (UN DESA, Population Division). It counts people born abroad who now live in Rwanda. Their children born in Rwanda are not included.
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Living in Rwanda
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