Over the past decade, Rwanda has doubled per capita income. Poverty decreased from 60 to 40 percent, and gender inequality is the lowest in Africa. Extensive reforms to promote structural transformation and gender inclusion have contributed to these outcomes: Rwanda’s GDP growth rate was 2.2 percentage points above the sub-Saharan African average from 2006-2014, and empirical analysis suggests that legal rights for women and relatively low gender gaps accounted for about 1/4 of that differential. However, Rwandan women remain predominantly engaged in primary sector activities, and skills provided by the education system does not fully match with demands by employers. Addressing these constraints, along with other development needs, could make Rwanda a middle-income country within the next two decades.
