Suicide rate in Rwanda
Rwanda: Suicide rate was 13.09 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021. ▼ Falling
Latest (2021)
13.09 deaths per 100,000 people
Change on year
up 6.2%
World rank
42nd
of 194 countries
All-time high
29.84 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2000
All-time low
12.32 deaths per 100,000 people
in 2020
Years of data
22
2000–2021
Suicide rate in Rwanda, 2000–2021
Source: World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in deaths per 100,000 people.
Analysis
The most recent figure for suicide rate in Rwanda is 13.09 deaths per 100,000 people, measured in 2021.
That represents a change of up 6.2% on the previous year and down 18.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, suicide rate in Rwanda peaked at 29.84 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000 and was at its lowest, 12.32 deaths per 100,000 people, in 2020.
Rwanda ranks 42nd of 194 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 22 years of available data.
Suicide rate in Rwanda, year by year
| Year | deaths per 100,000 people | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 29.84 deaths per 100,000 people | — |
| 2001 | 27.77 deaths per 100,000 people | -7.0% |
| 2002 | 25.95 deaths per 100,000 people | -6.5% |
| 2003 | 23.29 deaths per 100,000 people | -10.3% |
| 2004 | 20.67 deaths per 100,000 people | -11.3% |
| 2005 | 19.05 deaths per 100,000 people | -7.8% |
| 2006 | 18.15 deaths per 100,000 people | -4.7% |
| 2007 | 17.65 deaths per 100,000 people | -2.7% |
| 2008 | 17.15 deaths per 100,000 people | -2.8% |
| 2009 | 16.5 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.8% |
| 2010 | 16.23 deaths per 100,000 people | -1.6% |
| 2011 | 16 deaths per 100,000 people | -1.5% |
| 2012 | 15.45 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.4% |
| 2013 | 14.63 deaths per 100,000 people | -5.3% |
| 2014 | 14.15 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.3% |
| 2015 | 13.72 deaths per 100,000 people | -3.0% |
| 2016 | 13.41 deaths per 100,000 people | -2.2% |
| 2017 | 13.33 deaths per 100,000 people | -0.6% |
| 2018 | 13.04 deaths per 100,000 people | -2.1% |
| 2019 | 12.92 deaths per 100,000 people | -1.0% |
| 2020 | 12.32 deaths per 100,000 people | -4.6% |
| 2021 | 13.09 deaths per 100,000 people | +6.2% |
Rwanda compared with similar countries
- Rwanda's 13.09 deaths per 100,000 people is above the median for low income countries, which is 10.27 deaths per 100,000 people, 1.3× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Rwanda's 13.09 deaths per 100,000 people is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.73 deaths per 100,000 people, 1.2× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 21.6 deaths per 100,000 people | 16.5 deaths per 100,000 people | 29.84 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2010s | 14.29 deaths per 100,000 people | 12.92 deaths per 100,000 people | 16.23 deaths per 100,000 people | 10 |
| 2020s | 12.71 deaths per 100,000 people | 12.32 deaths per 100,000 people | 13.09 deaths per 100,000 people | 2 |
Countries ranked near Rwanda
- 39 United States 13.88 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 40 Sri Lanka 13.28 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 41 Slovenia 13.24 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 43 South Sudan 13.03 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 44 Zambia 12.81 deaths per 100,000 people compare
- 45 India 12.64 deaths per 100,000 people compare
More health data for Rwanda
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.08 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.891 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 860.6 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 2,738 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 1 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.9441 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.065 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.9697 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is suicide rate in Rwanda?
- Suicide rate in Rwanda was 13.09 deaths per 100,000 people in 2021, according to World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest suicide rate recorded in Rwanda?
- The highest recorded value was 29.84 deaths per 100,000 people in 2000.
- What is the lowest suicide rate recorded in Rwanda?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.32 deaths per 100,000 people in 2020.
- How does Rwanda rank for suicide rate?
- Rwanda ranks 42nd out of 194 countries with data for 2021.
- Is suicide rate rising or falling in Rwanda?
- Over the last ten years it is down 18.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Rwanda data come from?
- The figures come from World Health Organization (2024) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Suicide rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated number of age-standardized deaths from self-harm in both sexes, per 100,000 people.