Rwanda's labor market continues to face persistent challenges. In May 2026, the unemployment rate stood at 13.4%, unchanged from the level recorded during the same period in 2025, according to the latest data published by the National Institute of Statistics.
Disparities among different population groups remain significant. Women are the most affected by unemployment, with a rate of 15.5%, compared with 11.6% for men.
Young people also remain particularly vulnerable in the labor market. Their unemployment rate reached 15.7%, highlighting the ongoing difficulties they face in finding employment. Geographically, unemployment is higher in urban areas, where it stands at 14.1%, compared with 13.1% in rural areas.
The National Institute of Statistics also reports that the labor force, comprising both employed and unemployed people, is estimated at 5.4 million.
The labor force participation rate remained virtually unchanged at 62.1%, compared with 62.2% a year earlier.
Meanwhile, the employment rate remained stable at 53.8% in May 2026, a trend observed among both men and women, reflecting a relatively stable labor market despite the persistently high unemployment rate.