Female headed households in Rwanda

Rwanda: Female headed households was 31.9% in 2020. ▲ Rising

Latest (2020)
31.9%
Change on year
down 15.2%
World rank
9th
of 34 countries
All-time high
37.6%
in 2017
All-time low
20.8%
in 1992
Years of data
9
1992–2020

Female headed households in Rwanda, 1992–2020

0102030401992200620201992: 20.8 % of households with a female head2000: 36.1 % of households with a female head2005: 33.9 % of households with a female head2008: 31.4 % of households with a female head2010: 33.3 % of households with a female head2013: 29.2 % of households with a female head2015: 31 % of households with a female head2017: 37.6 % of households with a female head2020: 31.9 % of households with a female head

Source: DHS API, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program. Measured in % of households with a female head.

Analysis

The most recent figure for female headed households in Rwanda is 31.9%, measured in 2020.

The figure is down 15.2% on the previous year and down 4.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, female headed households in Rwanda peaked at 37.6% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 20.8%, in 1992.

Rwanda ranks 9th of 34 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.

Female headed households in Rwanda, year by year

Annual values for Female headed households (% of households with a female head) in Rwanda, 1992 to 2020.
Year % of households with a female head Change
1992 20.8%
2000 36.1% +73.6%
2005 33.9% -6.1%
2008 31.4% -7.4%
2010 33.3% +6.1%
2013 29.2% -12.3%
2015 31.0% +6.2%
2017 37.6% +21.3%
2020 31.9% -15.2%

Rwanda compared with similar countries

  • Rwanda's 31.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 25.6%, 1.2× the median. (21 countries reporting)
  • Rwanda's 31.9% is above the median for low income countries, which is 25.1%, 1.3× the median. (10 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 20.8% 20.8% 20.8% 1
2000s 33.8% 31.4% 36.1% 3
2010s 32.8% 29.2% 37.6% 4
2020s 31.9% 31.9% 31.9% 1

Countries ranked near Rwanda

  1. 6 Kenya 33.9% compare
  2. 7 Liberia 33.2% compare
  3. 8 Nepal 32.7% compare
  4. 10 Mozambique 31.8% compare
  5. 11 Cambodia 31.1% compare
  6. 12 Tanzania, United Republic of 28.6% compare

See the full ranking of 34 places →

More health data for Rwanda

All data for Rwanda →

Frequently asked questions

What is female headed households in Rwanda?
Female headed households in Rwanda was 31.9% in 2020, according to DHS API, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program.
What is the highest female headed households recorded in Rwanda?
The highest recorded value was 37.6% in 2017.
What is the lowest female headed households recorded in Rwanda?
The lowest recorded value was 20.8% in 1992.
How does Rwanda rank for female headed households?
Rwanda ranks 9th out of 34 countries with data for 2020.
Is female headed households rising or falling in Rwanda?
Over the last ten years it is down 4.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
Where does this Rwanda data come from?
The figures come from DHS API, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program, published as part of Female headed households (% of households with a female head). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Female headed households in Rwanda. Statizoid, drawing on DHS API, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program. Retrieved 16 September 2026, from https://health.statizoid.com/stat/female-headed-households-percent-of-households-with-a-female-head/rwanda/

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About this data

Indicator
Female headed households (% of households with a female head)
Unit
% of households with a female head
Source
DHS API, Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) Program
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
34 places, 236 data points, 1990–2023
Last refreshed

Female headed households refers to the percentage of households that are headed by females.