Rwanda has been recognised by the World Bank Group as a top performer on the expanded Human Capital Index Plus (HCI+), pointing to steady progress in the country’s investment in its people. The recognition places Rwanda ahead of countries with similar income levels, reflecting consistent gains across health, education, and employment outcomes over time. According to the World Bank, Rwanda scored 157 on the HCI+, well above both the Sub-Saharan Africa average of 126 and the low-income country average of 116. ALSO READ: WHO report shows billions lack access to health services; Rwanda expands coverage The HCI+ measures the expected lifetime productivity of children born today based on their access to quality education, healthcare, and opportunities in the labour market. It also assesses how effectively countries convert investments in human capital into actual economic outcomes, while accounting for losses when skills are underused. The index builds on the original Human Capital Index by adding indicators such as higher education, job quality, and labour market transitions. Minister of Finance and Economic Planning Yusuf Murangwa said the recognition reflects Rwanda’s long-term commitment to building human capital. ALSO READ: Ngirente unveils govt strategy to create over 1m jobs by 2029 “Our focus on health, quality education, and creating pathways to productive employment is delivering measurable results for Rwandans and the economy.” He added that the government is integrating sustainability across sectors to ensure long-term impact. Rwanda’s performance points to steady progress across key areas of human development. The probability of survival to age 60 stands at 79 per cent, above the regional average of 73.8 per cent. The country has also made progress in reducing child stunting, with a 70.2 per cent probability that children grow without stunting. In education, Rwanda recorded a harmonised learning outcome score of 417, alongside a tertiary education completion rate of 22.8 per cent, reflecting continued improvements in learning outcomes and access to higher education. ALSO READ: Where Rwanda’s education sector stands in 2026 Labour market indicators also show strong performance. Youth employment stands at 55.8 per cent, while wage employment among young people is higher at 65.2 per cent. Among adults, wage employment reaches 62.4 per cent, more than double the regional average, signalling stronger access to more stable and formal jobs. The World Bank notes that these gains reflect steady improvements since 2010, particularly in health outcomes and on-the-job learning.
