Key Facts: Rwanda Wages
- Country
- Rwanda (RWA)
- Continent
- Africa
- Currency
- Rwandan franc (RWF)
- Minimum Wage
- FRw14.08 /hr ($0.01 USD)
- Average Gross Monthly Salary
- FRw73,948 /month
- Average Gross Annual Salary
- FRw887,376 /year
- Median Individual Income
- FRw240,000 /year
- Standard Work Week
- 45 hours
- Data Source
- Ministry of Public Service and Labour / ILO
- Last Updated
- 2026-02-25
Rwanda — Average Salary & Wages
Rwandan franc (RWF) Data verified Jan 2026 Sources
The average salary in Rwanda is
FRw887,376 a year
But half of all workers earn less than FRw240,000 .
The average is lifted by bonuses and high earners. Most workers earn less than that.
The minimum wage in Rwanda is FRw14.08/hr ($0.01 USD) as of 2026. The average gross monthly salary is FRw73,948 ($50.61 USD). The median monthly income is FRw20,000 ($13.69 USD).
Estimates. Rwanda is classified as a low-income country by the World Bank. About 38% of the population lives below the national poverty line. Agriculture accounts for about 62% of employment.
Mean monthly income from paid employment per NISR Labour Force Survey 2024. Significant variation by sector: agriculture RWF 363/hr, industry RWF 724/hr, services RWF 907/hr (overall average RWF 609/hr). About 40.5% of paid employees earn less than RWF 30,000/month.
Minimum Wage Trend
Compare Rwanda with other countries• PPP ADJUSTED
In Rwanda, the minimum wage has the purchasing power of $0.04/hr in the United States, adjusted for local cost of living using the World Bank PPP conversion factor.
In Context
At minimum wage, a full-time worker in Rwanda earns FRw2,440/mo. That is 3% of the average gross salary.
- Monthly (full-time)
- FRw2,440 at min. wage
- Share of avg. salary
- 3% gross, before tax
- USD equivalent
- $1.67/mo monthly
Wage Breakdown
- Hourly
- FRw14.08
- Monthly
- FRw2,440
Rwanda's minimum wage was last set in 1974 at RWF 100/day. This rate has never been updated and is effectively obsolete — it represents less than USD 0.10/day at current exchange rates. There is no enforced national minimum wage in practice. Wages are determined by sector agreements, market forces, and employer discretion. The mining sector has established a minimum 'living wage' of approximately RWF 1,500/day through union agreements. Draft legislation to establish a new minimum wage has been discussed but not enacted.
Work Week
- Standard
- 45 hrs/wk
- Maximum
- 55 hrs/wk
- Overtime
- 1.5x pay
Standard workweek is 45 hours per Law No. 66/2018 Regulating Labor in Rwanda. Overtime limited to 2 hours/day and 10 hours/week (max 55 hours total). Overtime permitted for urgent, exceptional, or seasonal work. Overtime compensation varies by sector agreement. Daily working hours typically 9 hours over 5 days.
How Rwanda Compares
| Metric | Rwanda | Africa Avg. | Africa Highest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Min. wage (USD equiv.) | $0.01/hr | $0.91/hr | $6.06/hr (Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha) |
| Avg. salary (USD equiv.) | $50.61/mo | $381.53/mo | $1,625/mo (Mauritania) |
Countries with Similar Minimum Wages
| Country | Min. Wage /hr (USD) |
|---|---|
| Venezuela | $0.02 |
| Cuba | $0.03 |
| Georgia | $0.04 |
| Malawi | $0.14 |
| Angola | $0.18 |
| Rwanda | $0.01 |
Related Wage Comparisons
• NEIGHBORING COUNTRIES
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Benin Cost of Living
Wages tell half the story. See purchasing power, prices, and quality-of-life context for Rwanda on our sister site.
Cost of living in Rwanda on costofliving.is →Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum wage in Rwanda?
The minimum wage in Rwanda is FRw14.08/hr (approximately $0.01 USD), effective since 1974-01-01. Rwanda's minimum wage was last set in 1974 at RWF 100/day. This rate has never been updated and is effectively obsolete — it represents less than USD 0.10/day at current exchange rates. There is no enforced national minimum wage in practice. Wages are determined by sector agreements, market forces, and employer discretion. The mining sector has established a minimum 'living wage' of approximately RWF 1,500/day through union agreements. Draft legislation to establish a new minimum wage has been discussed but not enacted.
What is the average salary in Rwanda?
The average gross monthly salary in Rwanda is FRw73,948 (approximately $50.61 USD). Mean monthly income from paid employment per NISR Labour Force Survey 2024. Significant variation by sector: agriculture RWF 363/hr, industry RWF 724/hr, services RWF 907/hr (overall average RWF 609/hr). About 40.5% of paid employees earn less than RWF 30,000/month. Source: National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) - Labour Force Survey 2024 (2024).
How many hours is the standard work week in Rwanda?
The standard work week in Rwanda is 45 hours, with a legal maximum of 55 hours. Overtime is paid at 1.5x the normal rate. Standard workweek is 45 hours per Law No. 66/2018 Regulating Labor in Rwanda. Overtime limited to 2 hours/day and 10 hours/week (max 55 hours total). Overtime permitted for urgent, exceptional, or seasonal work. Overtime compensation varies by sector agreement. Daily working hours typically 9 hours over 5 days.
What is the minimum wage in Rwanda in USD?
The minimum wage in Rwanda converts to approximately $0.01/hr in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
What is the average salary in Rwanda in USD?
The average gross monthly salary in Rwanda is approximately $50.61 per month in US dollars, based on current exchange rates. Actual purchasing power may differ due to local cost of living.
How does Rwanda's minimum wage compare to the Africa average?
Rwanda's minimum wage ranks #33 out of 33 countries with statutory minimum wages in Africa, placing it among the lowest in Africa.
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