The National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda reported that the share of young Rwandans outside employment, education or training rose by 1.3 percentage points to 24.7%, from 23.4% a year earlier.
The finding comes from the latest Labour Force Survey, based on information collected in August 2026. The youth figures cover people aged between 16 and 30.
The increase was concentrated among young men. Their rate rose by 5.4 percentage points, from 17.6% in August 2025 to 23% in August 2026.
Among young women, the rate declined slightly from 29.4% to 29%. Despite the reduction, women remained more likely than men to be outside employment, education or training.
The indicator covers young people who were not working and were not studying or receiving training. It includes unemployed people seeking work and others who were outside the labour force.
The survey showed that 52.8% of young people were employed, compared with 54.8% of adults aged 31 and above. Youth unemployment stood at 18.8%, exceeding the 13.1% recorded among adults.
Across the entire labour force, unemployment increased from 13.4% in August 2025 to 15.6% in August 2026. Approximately 4.8 million people were employed, 878,000 were unemployed and 3.2 million were outside the labour force.
A youth employment study published by the United Nations Development Programme in April found that many young Rwandans remained in low-productivity work or struggled to secure employment matching their qualifications.
The study identified gaps in practical, digital and interpersonal skills, limited cooperation between employers and training institutions and weaknesses in the transition from education to work. It found that young women and rural youth faced greater barriers to accessing opportunities.
Rwanda’s National Employment and Skills Strategy targets the creation of 1.25 million productive and decent jobs by 2029. Its measures include apprenticeships, professional internships, community-based placements and short courses targeting young people outside employment, education or training.
The government is also implementing the $200 million Priority Skills for Growth and Youth Empowerment programme, which aims to provide market-relevant skills to more than 200,000 young people and workers by 2029.
A previous skills programme reached nearly 24,000 young people outside employment, education or training and workers seeking additional skills.
The World Bank reported that 82% of its graduates were employed or self-employed within nine months of completing their training.
Elie GATETE
RADIOTV10