Links between Urbanisation and Employment in Rwanda

This review focuses on urbanisation and employment due to rural-urban movement, rather than migration from neighbouring countries

Abstract

Greater urbanisation is explicit in Rwanda’s plans for becoming a middle-income country by 2020 (World Bank, 2018a). Rwandans living in cities and towns are predicted to double from current estimates of 17% to 35% by 2024 (Gubic and Baloi, 2019). Therefore, the main goal of the Government is to transform Rwanda’s current agricultural-based economy to one that is industry- and service-based. This rapid review focuses on literature related to urbanisation and employment due to rural-urban (“inwards”) movement in Rwanda, rather than migration from neighbouring countries. The evidence used in this rapid review is taken from the World Bank Group, the African Development Bank (AFDB), International Growth Centre (IGC), as well as from peer-reviewed journals and university analysis from Rwanda. However, there was a dearth of literature explaining why people do not decide to move to cities. Limited information was also found for disabled people and links to employment in urbanised areas.

K4D helpdesk reports provide summaries of current research, evidence and lessons learned. This report was commissioned by the UK Department for International Development.

Citation

Tull, K. (2019). Links between urbanisation and employment in Rwanda. K4D Helpdesk Report 659. Brighton, UK: Institute of Development Studies

Links between Urbanisation and Employment in Rwanda

Published 9 September 2019