This means that in 2024, roughly for every seven people in the labour force, there was one person unemployed. This represents a decrease of 2.3 percentage points compared to 2023.
The report indicates that Rwanda's working-age population stands at approximately 8.3 million individuals. Of this, around 4.4 million are employed, while 780,000 remain unemployed.
Additionally, 3.1 million people are not part of the labour force. The labour force participation rate has also seen positive growth, rising to 62.9% in 2024, an increase of 3.6 percentage points from 2023, reflecting a larger share of the population engaging in the labour market.
However, the survey also highlights persistent disparities in the labour market. The gender gap in labour force participation remains significant, with males consistently outperforming females. In 2024, the gender gap stood at 15.5 percentage points, a figure consistent with 2023 levels.
The employment-to-population ratio has also improved, climbing to 53.5% in 2024, up from 49% the previous year. However, this ratio was notably higher among males (62.2%) compared to females (45.9%). It was also higher for adults (31 years and above) than for the youth (16-30 years).
Sectoral employment trends show that the services sector has become the primary driver of employment, accounting for 42.9% of total employment in 2024, up from 39.8% in 2023. On the other hand, employment in the agriculture sector has declined to 39.9%, down from 43.4% in 2023.
Despite the decrease in overall unemployment, it remains higher among females, who face an unemployment rate of 17.6%, compared to 12.6% for males. Additionally, the youth (16-30 years) continue to face higher unemployment rates at 18.5%, compared to 12.3% for adults.
Labour underutilization, which includes unemployment and other factors such as time-related underemployment, stood at 54.2% in 2024. This rate was higher among females (61.2%) and the youth (56.2%), compared to males (47%) and adults (52.8%).
The report also sheds light on the prevalence of informal employment, with 82.3% of the employed population working in the informal sector in 2024. This highlights the continued challenges of securing formal employment opportunities.
The enhanced sampling methodology used in the 2024 RLFS, which incorporated data from the 2022 National Population and Housing Census, offers a comprehensive overview of the nation's labour market.
The insights provided in the report are crucial for policymakers and stakeholders as they seek to address challenges such as unemployment, labour underutilization, and gender disparities, while working towards ensuring decent work for all.
Wycliffe Nyamasege
