Flag description:
three horizontal bands of sky blue (top, double width), yellow, and
green, with a golden sun with 24 rays near the fly end of the blue
band
Economy Rwanda
Economy - overview:
Rwanda is a poor rural country with about 90% of the population
engaged in (mainly subsistence) agriculture. It is the most densely
populated country in Africa and is landlocked with few natural
resources and minimal industry. Primary foreign exchange earners are
coffee and tea. The 1994 genocide decimated Rwanda's fragile
economic base, severely impoverished the population, particularly
women, and eroded the country's ability to attract private and
external investment. However, Rwanda has made substantial progress
in stabilizing and rehabilitating its economy to pre-1994 levels,
although poverty levels are higher now. GDP has rebounded and
inflation has been curbed. Despite Rwanda's fertile ecosystem, food
production often does not keep pace with population growth,
requiring food imports. Rwanda continues to receive substantial aid
money and obtained IMF-World Bank Heavily Indebted Poor Country
(HIPC) initiative debt relief in 2005. Kigali's high defense
expenditures have caused tension between the government and
international donors and lending agencies. An energy shortage and
instability in neighboring states may slow growth in 2006, while the
lack of adequate transportation linkages to other countries
continues to handicap export growth.
GDP (purchasing power parity):
$12.54 billion (2005 est.)
GDP (official exchange rate):
$1.817 billion (2005 est.)
GDP - real growth rate:
5.2% (2005 est.)
GDP - per capita (PPP):
$1,500 (2005 est.)
GDP - composition by sector: agriculture: 40.1% industry: 22.9% services: 37% (2005 est.)
Labor force: 4.6 million (2000)
Labor force - by occupation: agriculture: 90% industry and services: 10%