The World Bank based its recognition on the significant progress the country has made in building human capital relative to its level of economic development.
The HCI measures how countries invest in people through education, health, and employment, and highlights both the benefits of such investments and the losses that result from underutilizing human potential.
Rwanda was selected for its strong performance compared to other countries at a similar level of economic development.
Overall, Rwanda scored 157 on the HCI+, far exceeding the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 126 and the developing countries’ average of 116.
According to the World Bank, Rwanda has demonstrated strong progress in health and job creation since 2000, along with solid outcomes in education.
In Rwanda, 79% of people survive to the age of 50, compared to the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 73.8%.
Regarding stunting, 70.2% of children are not stunted, surpassing the average of low-income countries at 63.9%. The quality of education scored 417, significantly higher than the regional average of 341 and the developing countries’ average of 342.
The World Bank also notes that 22.0% of Rwandans complete higher education, double the regional average of 10.9%.
Other indicators show that 55.0% of Rwanda’s youth are employed, above the regional average of 50.8%. Those in stable employment stand at 15.2%, while 62.4% of adults are employed more than double the regional average of 30.1%.
The Minister of Finance and Economic Planning, Yusuf Murangwa, stated that being ranked among top-performing countries reflects Rwanda’s commitment to investing in its people.
He said, “This recognition by the World Bank demonstrates Rwanda’s continued investment in its citizens. Focusing on health, quality education, and access to employment opportunities is yielding visible results for Rwandans and the country’s economy. We are also strengthening sustainable approaches to ensure these achievements continue in the years ahead.”
HCI+ is an expanded version of the traditional Human Capital Index, incorporating higher education, labor market participation, and job quality. It helps countries identify weaknesses and measure how human development translates into economic productivity.
Although Rwanda has surpassed regional and peer-country benchmarks, it continues working toward achieving middle-income status by 2035.
The HCI+ measures the potential productivity of children born today over their lifetime, based on education, health, and work experience.
It reflects how children born today can grow into healthy, educated, and productive individuals capable of contributing to economic development.
