Rwanda Labour Force Survery 2025
Rwanda
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RWA-NISR-RLFS-2025-v0.1
Rwanda Labour Force Survery 2025
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Rwanda | RWA |
Labour statistics play a crucial role in supporting Rwanda’s efforts to achieve decent work for all. They are essential for formulating policies and assessing
progress toward labour market goals.The government requires updated, reliable, and timely statistics to monitor programs under NST2, SDGs, and Vision 2050.
To meet this need, the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) introduced the Labour Force Survey (LFS) program in 2016.
The survey provides key stakeholders including the Ministry of Public Service and Labour, MINECOFIN, the Ministry of Education, and the International Labour Organization
with relevant labour data. Its main objective is to collect information on employment and labour underutilization continuously.
Initially, the LFS sample was divided into two annual rounds to provide bi-annual estimates at the national level.
From February 2019, it was expanded into four rounds, producing quarterly estimates of major labour market indicators.
This report combines data from all four rounds conducted in 2025 to present annual estimates at both national and district levels, where applicable.
NISR acknowledges the contributions of all survey coordinators, supervisors, and interviewers, as well as the respondents who provided the data.
The Institute encourages policymakers, program managers, researchers, and other users to actively utilize the LFS data to support
evidence-based decision-making and contribute to Rwanda’s economic development.
Household and individual
Version
Edited, anonymous dataset for public use
Coverage
Labor force survey data are at the National level coverage but Employment and Labour force participation rate are
represented at District level as well as by residential area.
The target population eligible for Labor force survey is 16 years old and above resident of selected households. However, the
survey also collected data on certain particular labour-market related issues such as income from employment, migrant
workers and workers with disabilities. The survey consider all persons living in private households. It excludes the
institutional population permanently residing in houses such as hostels; health resorts; correctional establishments etc., as
well as persons living in seasonal dwellings not covered in the survey. It also excludes workers living at their work-sites.
Producers and sponsors
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) | Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) |
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda | Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) | Producer of this Survey |
| Name | Abbreviation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Government of Rwanda | GoR | Funder |
Sampling
A key aspect of the 2025 RLFS is its robust sampling methodology, which was significantly enhanced by
leveraging data from the 2022 National Population and Housing Census. This updated sampling frame
ensured that the survey accurately captured a diverse representation of Rwanda’s working-age population,
encompassing individuals aged 16 years and above. The survey excluded institutional populations (such as
those in hostels, correctional facilities, and health resorts) and focused on private households, providing a
clear picture of the labour market as it pertains to the general population.
The sampling design followed a two-stage stratified cluster approach, which improved both the precision and
reliability of the estimates. Initially, enumeration areas (EAs) were selected from the updated census database
using probability proportional to size, ensuring that regions with larger populations had a higher likelihood
of inclusion. In the second stage, households within these EAs were systematically selected for participation.
This method allowed for the efficient coverage of both rural and urban areas, ensuring that the data reflected
the labour market’s regional and demographic differences.
Three steps were involved in the calculation of the sample weights: Calculation of the design weight, Adjustment for
non-response; and Calibration to known population projections. The design weight of a given sample household is the
inverse of the probability of selection of a sample household. This probability is calculated as the product of two probabilities.
Data collection
2025
- Method used for data collection is Questionnaire. also Computer Assisted Personal Interview [CAPI] used. · dates of data collection: Data were collected each month in February, May, August and November from the 1st to the last day of the month to capture seasonality of all economic activities · time period: The timing of the quarter rounds is based on the seasonal variations of labour force activities in Rwanda, in particular, the high and low seasons of agriculture activities, in February, May, August, and November respectively. · mode of data collection: Data were collected using Computer Assisted Personal Interview (CAPI) · description of questionnaires, like information on design process, languages, etc: The questionnaire of the Rwanda Labour Force Survey 2024 in its present form contains more than 100 questions organized into 9 sections and a cover page, dealing with the following topics: A Household roster (All Household members) B Education (Persons aged 14 years and above) C Identification of employed, time-related underemployed, unemployed and potential labour force (Persons aged 14 years and above) D Characteristics of main job/activity (Persons aged 14 years and above) E Characteristics of secondary job/activity (Persons aged 14 years and above) F Past employment (Persons aged 14 years and above) G Own-use production of goods and services (Persons aged 14 years and above) H Subsistence foodstuff production (Persons aged 14 years and above & Household) I Housing and household assets (Household). Not all questions are addressed to every household member. For children below 14 years of age, a minimum number of questions are asked. For older youngsters and adults aged 14 years and above, the number of questions depends on the situation and activities of the person during the reference period. The basic reference period is the last 7 days prior to the date of the interview. For certain questions, however, other reference periods are used. In each case, the relevant reference period is indicated in the text of the question. · The actual number of interviewers recruited for the survey was 96, with some in excess of the required number in order to allow for drop-outs, illness, absences, and other possible failures. The training of trainers was conducted and was followed by refresher training sessions for the survey staff.The LFS 2024 field team consisted of 2 national coordinators, 32 team leaders, 9 monitors, 4 auditors, and 96 interviewers, without assuming.. Total field personnel involved in interviewing was 140.
Distributor information
| Organization name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda | NISR | Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) | https://www.statistics.gov.rw/sites/default/files/documents/2026-03/Annual%20LFS%202025%20Report..pdf |
Metadata production
RWA-NISR-RLFS-2025-v0.1
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda | NISR | Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning (MINECOFIN) | Producer of this Survey |