2019-20 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey Summary Report

The survey aimed to provide data for monitoring the population and health situation in Rwanda. The 2019-20 RDHS is the 6th Demographic and Health Survey conducted in Rwanda since 1992, and its objective was to provide reliable estimates of fertility, use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of women and children, maternal and child health, adult and childhood mortality, women's empowerment, domestic violence, awareness and behavior regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other health-related issues. A nationally representative sample of 14,634 women age 15-49 in 12,949 selected households and 6,513 men age 15-59 in half of the selected households were interviewed. This represents a response rate of greater than 99% of women and men. The sample design for the 2019-20 RDHS provides estimates at the national and provincial levels, and for urban and rural areas. The survey found that Rwandan households have an average of 4.3 members. Nearly one-third (32%) of households are headed by a woman. Forty-two percent of the household population in Rwanda is under age 15. Four in five households in Rwanda have access to an improved source of drinking water, with 96% of households in urban areas and 77% of households in rural areas having access to an improved water source. Seventy-two percent of Rwandan households have access to an improved sanitation facility, with 88% of households in urban areas and 69% of households in rural areas having access to an improved sanitation facility. The survey also found that fertility in Rwanda has decreased steadily since 2005. Women in urban areas have an average of 3.4 children, compared to 4.3 children for women in rural areas. Fertility varies by province, with women in West province having the most children (4.5 on average) and women in the City of Kigali having the fewest (3.6). Generally, fertility decreases as education level increases, with women in Rwanda with primary education having 4.4 children, compared to 3.3 children for women with more than primary education. In Rwanda, women have their first sexual intercourse before men. Among women age 25-49, the median age at first sexual intercourse is 20.7 years, compared to 22.3 years for men age 25-49. Nine percent of women and 2% of men age 25-49 are married by age 18. Nearly a quarter of women and 7% of men age 25-49 are married by age 20. Women marry at a median age of 22.8 years, while men (age 30-49) marry three years later, at a median age of 25.6 years. The survey also found that five percent of adolescent women age 15-19 are already mothers or are pregnant with their first child. This varies by province, from 4% of adolescent women in both West and the City of Kigali to 6% of adolescent women in East and South provinces. Adolescent women with secondary education (3%) are less likely to have begun childbearing than young women with primary education (7%). Teenage childbearing decreases by wealth, with 8% of adolescent women in the lowest quintile compared to 3% of young women in the highest wealth quintile. The survey found that nearly two-thirds (64%) of married women age 15-49 use any method of family planning, with 58% using a modern method and 6% using a traditional method. The most popular modern methods among married women are implants (27%), injectables (15%), and the pill (7%). Among sexually active unmarried women age 15-49, 48% use a modern method and 2% use a traditional method of family planning. The most popular modern methods among sexually active unmarried women are implants (24%), injectables (15%), and the pill (7%).