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Topic 07 of 18 · Country Index 2026

Rwanda: Environment & Sustainability

How much pressure does a country put on the natural world?

Rwanda is placed 35th of 186 countries on environment & sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: CO₂ Emissions per Capita 0.143 (2024); Water Stress 6.55 (2023).

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Environment & Sustainability

35th

of 186 countries placed

Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics

Country Index 2026, all topics127th of 183 →

01The evidence

The 4 key statistics that decide it

Only these place Rwanda on environment & sustainability — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.

Why these keys

  1. Key 1 of 4

    CO₂ Emissions per Capita

    Global Carbon Project

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.143

    Fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)

    Lower is better

    Rwanda: 0.143. Across the 210 countries in this edition, values run from 0.054 (DR Congo) to 41.27 (Qatar); the world median is 3.21.

    World median
    3.21
    Best in Eastern Africa
    0.065 Burundi
    Land neighbours
    Burundi 0.065 · DR Congo 0.054 · Tanzania 0.292 · Uganda 0.127

  2. Key 2 of 4

    Water Stress

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2023 edition · data for 2023 · CC BY 4.0

    6.55

    Freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)

    Lower is better

    Rwanda: 6.55. Across the 177 countries in this edition, values run from 0.03 (Republic of the Congo) to 3,851 (Kuwait); the world median is 10.

    World median
    10
    Best in Eastern Africa
    0.83 Comoros
    Land neighbours
    Burundi 10.19 · DR Congo 0.23 · Tanzania 12.96 · Uganda 5.83

  3. Key 3 of 4

    Organic Agricultural Area

    Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)

    Why it is a key

    2024 edition · data for 2024 · CC BY 4.0

    0.28

    Organic share of agricultural land (%)

    Higher is better

    Rwanda: 0.28. Across the 156 countries in this edition, values run from 0 (Afghanistan) to 86.38 (Samoa); the world median is 0.725.

    World median
    0.725
    Best in Eastern Africa
    3.14 Uganda
    Land neighbours
    Burundi 0.08 · DR Congo 0.29 · Tanzania 0.47 · Uganda 3.14

  4. Key 4 of 4

    Ecological Footprint

    Global Footprint Network

    Why it is a key

    2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY-SA 4.0

    0.814

    Ecological Footprint (global hectares per person)

    Lower is better

    Rwanda: 0.814. Across the 126 countries in this edition, values run from 0.514 (Yemen) to 11.73 (Qatar); the world median is 2.296.

    World median
    2.296
    Best in Eastern Africa
    0.588 Mozambique
    Land neighbours
    Burundi 0.618 · DR Congo 0.647 · Tanzania 0.967 · Uganda 1.064

03In context

Rwanda beside its neighbours

A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 186 countries on environment & sustainability, never a place within the region.

Eastern Africa
1st186thNot placed · 38 countries with too few key statisticsNo data

The whole world on environment & sustainability

Rwanda and the countries it borders

Standing among all 186; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.

CountryStandingCO₂ Emissions per CapitaFossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)Water StressFreshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)Organic Agricultural AreaOrganic share of agricultural land (%)Ecological FootprintEcological Footprint (global hectares per person)
DR Congo8th0.0540.230.290.647
Uganda=18th0.1275.833.141.064
Rwanda35th0.1436.550.280.814
Burundi38th0.06510.190.080.618
Tanzania=50th0.29212.960.470.967

“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is

Placed either side on environment & sustainability

The countries immediately above and below Rwanda in the topic’s list.

04Context, no vote

Where Rwanda is ahead of the world, and behind

43 more statistics filed under environment & sustainability, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.

Every country

Ahead of the world median10

Statistics on which Rwanda does better than the middle country measured.

  • Annual Forest Area Change RateFAO · 2025 · world median 02.64▲ Improved since 2015

    Rwanda: 2.64 · world median 0 · Compound annual change in forest area over the interval ending that year (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from -3.29 to 12.3; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Energy Intensity of GDP (PPP)EIA · 2024 · world median 2.7380.728No real change since 2014

    Rwanda: 0.728 · world median 2.738 · Energy use per dollar of GDP (thousand Btu per US$ at PPP). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.666 to 17.45; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Baseline Water Stress (Aqueduct)WRI · 2019 · world median 1.6630No earlier reading

    Rwanda: 0 · world median 1.663 · Baseline water stress score (0–5). World Resources Institute (WRI), 2023 edition, data for 2019.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 5; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Forest Area within Legally Established Protected AreasFAO · 2025 · world median 18.1845.8No real change since 2015

    Rwanda: 45.8 · world median 18.18 · Forest within legally established protected areas, as a share of the country's 2015 forest area (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Agricultural Emissions IntensityFAO · 2023 · world median 1.5650.84No real change since 2013

    Rwanda: 0.84 · world median 1.565 · Greenhouse gases from farming per value of agricultural output (kg CO₂eq per international dollar). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 28.2; lower is better.

    Position 152nd of 190 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • World Risk IndexInstitute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum · 2025 · world median 4.172.66No real change since 2015

    Rwanda: 2.66 · world median 4.17 · WorldRiskIndex score (0–100, where 100 is the most at risk). Institute for International Law of Peace and Armed Conflict (IFHV), Ruhr University Bochum, 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.18 to 46.56; lower is better.

    Position 136th of 193 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Renewable Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 32.0649.56▼ Worsened since 2014

    Rwanda: 49.56 · world median 32.06 · Renewables (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 61st of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Low-Carbon Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 37.3249.56▼ Worsened since 2014

    Rwanda: 49.56 · world median 37.32 · Low-carbon sources (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.

    Position 71st of 162 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Carbon Intensity of ElectricityEmber · 2024 · world median 433.75361.95▼ Worsened since 2014

    Rwanda: 361.95 · world median 433.75 · Carbon intensity (gCO₂e per kWh generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 23.73 to 1,306; lower is better.

    Position 94th of 165 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Progress Toward Productive and Sustainable Agriculture (SDG 2.4.1 Proxy)FAO · 2024 · world median 3.143.29No real change since 2015

    Rwanda: 3.29 · world median 3.14 · Current status score, from 1 (worst) to 5 (best), averaged over up to seven sub-indicators. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 1.67 to 4.57; higher is better.

    Position 80th of 186 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

Behind the world median10

Statistics on which Rwanda does worse than the middle country measured.

  • Water-Use EfficiencyFAO · 2023 · world median 16.115.72▲ Improved since 2013

    Rwanda: 15.72 · world median 16.1 · Value added per cubic metre of freshwater withdrawn (constant US$ per m³). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.38 to 1,378; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Wind and Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 5.2793.54▲ Improved since 2014

    Rwanda: 3.54 · world median 5.279 · Wind and solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 69.12; higher is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Children's Climate Risk IndexUNICEF · 2020 · world median 55.7No earlier reading

    Rwanda: 5.7 · world median 5 · Children's Climate Risk Index (0–10, higher is more risk). UNICEF, 2021 edition, data for 2020.

    Published values in that edition run from 1 to 8.7; lower is better.

    Ranked 57th of 163 by UNICEF (1st = worst).

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • ND-GAIN Country IndexNotre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 47.4440.61▲ Improved since 2014

    Rwanda: 40.61 · world median 47.44 · ND-GAIN Index (0–100, where 100 is best placed to adapt). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 26.42 to 71.85; higher is better.

    Ranked 141st of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Planetary pressures-adjusted HDIUNDP Human Development Report Office · 2023 · world median 0.6780.567▲ Improved since 2013

    Rwanda: 0.567 · world median 0.678 · PHDI (0–1). UNDP Human Development Report Office, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.276 to 0.827; higher is better.

    Position 120th of 156 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Renewable Internal Freshwater Resources per CapitaFAO · 2022 · world median 2,528695.92▼ Worsened since 2012

    Rwanda: 695.92 · world median 2,528 · Renewable internal freshwater (cubic metres per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 445,023; higher is better.

    Position 146th of 181 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Coal Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 015.04▼ Worsened since 2014

    Rwanda: 15.04 · world median 0 · Coal (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 98.25; lower is better.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Adjusted Net SavingsWorld Bank Group · 2021 · world median 8.389-1.498▼ Worsened since 2011

    Rwanda: -1.498 · world median 8.389 · Adjusted net savings, including particulate emission damage (% of GNI). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.

    Published values in that edition run from -81.62 to 32.18; higher is better.

    Position 99th of 118 · derived.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • PM2.5 Air Pollution ExposureAtmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis · 2023 · world median 14.4540.3No real change since 2013

    Rwanda: 40.3 · world median 14.45 · Population-weighted PM2.5 concentration (µg/m³). Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group, Washington University in St. Louis, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 2.5 to 68.2; lower is better.

    Position 18th of 220 · derived, 1st = worst.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Climate Vulnerability (ND-GAIN)Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame · 2024 · world median 0.450.61No real change since 2014

    Rwanda: 0.61 · world median 0.45 · ND-GAIN Vulnerability (0–1, where 1 is the most vulnerable). Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.263 to 0.655; lower is better.

    Ranked 179th of 190 by Notre Dame Global Adaptation Initiative (ND-GAIN), University of Notre Dame.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

No better end23

These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.

  • Agricultural LandFAO · 2023 · world median 37.9676.33Moved since 2013

    Rwanda: 76.33 · world median 37.96 · Agricultural land (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.445 to 86.48.

    Position 9th of 209 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Total Natural Resources Rents (% of GDP)World Bank Group · 2021 · world median 1.7084.017Moved since 2011

    Rwanda: 4.017 · world median 1.708 · Natural resources rents (% of GDP). World Bank Group, 2021 edition, data for 2021.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 61.03.

    Position 77th of 180 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2021 dataset

  • Burned AreaGWIS · 2025 · world median 13,82433,594Moved since 2015

    Rwanda: 33,594 · world median 13,824 · Burned area (hectares). European Commission Joint Research Centre — Global Wildfire Information System (GWIS), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50,562,035.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Livestock DensityFAO · 2023 · world median 0.5350.57Moved since 2013

    Rwanda: 0.57 · world median 0.535 · Livestock units per hectare of agricultural land. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.02 to 43.97.

    Position 87th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Solar Share of Electricity GenerationEmber · 2024 · world median 3.0493.54Moved since 2014

    Rwanda: 3.54 · world median 3.049 · Solar (% of electricity generated). Ember, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 50.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Tropical Moist Forest DeforestationJRC · 2025 · world median 0.0010.001Moved since 2015

    Rwanda: 0.001 · world median 0.001 · Tropical moist forest deforested in the year (million hectares). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 0.708.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Tree Cover LossWorld Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland) · 2025 · world median 3,7753,758No real change since 2015

    Rwanda: 3,758 · world median 3,775 · Tree cover loss (hectares, where canopy cover exceeded 30% in 2000). World Resources Institute — Global Forest Watch (data: University of Maryland), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 6,225,187.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Environmentally Related Tax RevenueOECD · 2024 · world median 1.0751.043No real change since 2014

    Rwanda: 1.043 · world median 1.075 · Environmentally related tax revenue (% of GDP). OECD, 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 3.346.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Water Withdrawal by SectorFAO · 2022 · world median 62.1460.07No real change since 2012

    Rwanda: 60.07 · world median 62.14 · Freshwater withdrawn for agriculture (% of total). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2022 edition, data for 2022.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 99.48.

    Position 90th of 171 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2022 dataset

  • Fisheries and Aquaculture ProductionFAO · 2024 · world median 52,37543,060Moved since 2014

    Rwanda: 43,060 · world median 52,375 · Fish, crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic animals caught or farmed, tonnes (live weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 70,500,841.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Land Under Cereal ProductionFAO · 2023 · world median 689,278527,326Moved since 2013

    Rwanda: 527,326 · world median 689,278 · Land under cereal production (hectares). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 103,715,108.

    Position 97th of 179 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Methane EmissionsEDGAR · 2025 · world median 325.69199.83No real change since 2015

    Rwanda: 199.83 · world median 325.69 · Methane emissions (gigagrams of CH₄). European Commission, Joint Research Centre (EDGAR), 2025 edition, data for 2025.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.048 to 51,093.

    Chart and every countryThe 2025 dataset

  • Pesticide Use per HectareFAO · 2024 · world median 1.731.21Moved since 2014

    Rwanda: 1.21 · world median 1.73 · Pesticide use (kg per hectare of cropland). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 37.72.

    Position 106th of 178 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Agricultural EmissionsFAO · 2023 · world median 8,6354,730No real change since 2013

    Rwanda: 4,730 · world median 8,635 · Farm-gate emissions (kt CO₂eq). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1,044,508.

    Position 123rd of 193 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Arable Land per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 0.1090.083Moved since 2013

    Rwanda: 0.083 · world median 0.109 · Arable land (hectares per person). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 1.459.

    Position 128th of 206 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Solar Electricity Installed CapacityEIA · 2024 · world median 0.1440.028Moved since 2014

    Rwanda: 0.028 · world median 0.144 · Solar generating capacity installed (gigawatts). U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), 2024 edition, data for 2024.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 886.66.

    Chart and every countryThe 2024 dataset

  • Fertilizer Consumption per HectareFAO · 2023 · world median 87.3631.83Moved since 2013

    Rwanda: 31.83 · world median 87.36 · Fertilizer consumption (kg per hectare of arable land). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 2,926.

    Position 134th of 188 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Cropland Nitrogen BalanceFAO · 2023 · world median 37.6312.73Moved since 2013

    Rwanda: 12.73 · world median 37.63 · Nitrogen surplus (+) or deficit (−) on cropland, kg per hectare. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from -555.52 to 1,199.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Forest AreaFAO · 2023 · world median 31.0811.31No real change since 2013

    Rwanda: 11.31 · world median 31.08 · Forest area (% of land area). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 94.45.

    Position 158th of 210 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Agricultural Irrigated LandFAO · 2023 · world median 3.660.422No earlier reading

    Rwanda: 0.422 · world median 3.66 · Irrigated share of agricultural land (%). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.003 to 89.04.

    Position 103rd of 121 · derived, counted from the highest value.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Population Living Below 5 m ElevationCenter for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University · 2015 · world median 2.9540No real change since 1990

    Rwanda: 0 · world median 2.954 · Population living below 5 m elevation (% of total population). Center for International Earth Science Information Network (CIESIN), Columbia University, 2015 edition, data for 2015.

    Published values in that edition run from 0 to 78.48.

    Chart and every countryThe 2015 dataset

  • Meat Supply per PersonFAO · 2023 · world median 57.836.43Moved since 2013

    Rwanda: 6.43 · world median 57.83 · Meat available as food (kg per person per year, carcass weight). Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 3.49 to 156.95.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

  • Consumption-Based CO₂ EmissionsGlobal Carbon Project · 2023 · world median 12.790.96No real change since 2013

    Rwanda: 0.96 · world median 12.79 · Consumption-based fossil CO₂ (million tonnes of carbon). Global Carbon Project, 2023 edition, data for 2023.

    Published values in that edition run from 0.882 to 2,963.

    Chart and every countryThe 2023 dataset

No current reading for Rwanda

Mangrove Area, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Operating Coal Power Capacity, Operating Wind Power Capacity, Temperature Change on Land (last 2007) and World Energy Trilemma Index. Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.

“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing

05Country Index 2026

Environment & Sustainability among Rwanda’s 15 topics

Environment & Sustainability is Rwanda’s best-placed topic of 15. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.

On the profile
  1. Environment & Sustainability35th of 186
  2. Gender & Equality60th of 183
  3. Energy62nd of 165
  4. Governance & Institutions81st of 194
  5. Digital & Technology83rd of 198
  6. Education & Knowledge100th of 198
  7. Risk & Resilience135th of 193
  8. Economy & Innovationjoint 125th of 176
  9. Peace & Securityjoint 128th of 177
  10. Democracy & Civil Liberties153rd of 198
  11. Health & Wellbeing164th of 200
  12. Food & Agriculturejoint 151st of 184
  13. Development & Human Capitaljoint 168th of 196
  14. Work & Labourjoint 158th of 182
  15. Poverty & Inequality140th of 159

No standing on Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.

06The top of the list

Who leads on environment & sustainability

The three countries placed highest of 186, and the leaders Rwanda can most readily be measured against.

All 186 countries
  1. 1

    Angola

    Middle Africa

    1st of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

    Photo: Paulo César Santos derivative work: Jjtkk · CC0, greyscale

  2. 2

    São Tomé and Príncipe

    Middle Africa

    2nd of 186 · 3 of 4 keys

  3. 3

    Sierra Leone

    Western Africa

    3rd of 186 · 4 of 4 keys

    Photo: Annabel Symington derivative work: Jjtkk · CC BY 2.0, greyscale

Placed highest nearby

  1. Highest in Africa

    Angola1st3/4 keys

  2. Highest in Eastern Africa

    South Sudan9th2/4 keys

  3. This page

    Rwanda35th4/4 keys

Positions out of 186 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.

07Questions

Rwanda on environment & sustainability: questions answered

Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.

How does Rwanda rank on environment & sustainability?

Rwanda is placed 35th of 186 countries on Environment & Sustainability in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (CO₂ Emissions per Capita, Water Stress, Organic Agricultural Area and Ecological Footprint). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.

What is the latest CO₂ Emissions per Capita figure for Rwanda?

0.143 in 2024 (fossil CO₂ (tonnes per person)), according to Global Carbon Project. The world median in the same edition was 3.21.

What is the latest Water Stress figure for Rwanda?

6.55 in 2023 (freshwater withdrawal as a share of available resources (%)), according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The world median in the same edition was 10.

How does Rwanda compare with DR Congo on environment & sustainability?

DR Congo is placed 8th of 186, and Rwanda 35th. CO₂ Emissions per Capita: DR Congo 0.054, Rwanda 0.143; Water Stress: DR Congo 0.23, Rwanda 6.55; Organic Agricultural Area: DR Congo 0.29, Rwanda 0.28; Ecological Footprint: DR Congo 0.647, Rwanda 0.814.

How have Rwanda’s environment & sustainability figures changed?

CO₂ Emissions per Capita rose from 0.063 in 2000 to 0.143 in 2024; Water Stress rose from 4.97 in 2000 to 6.55 in 2023; Organic Agricultural Area rose from 0.01 in 2005 to 0.28 in 2024; Ecological Footprint rose from 0.652 in 2000 to 0.814 in 2025.

Which environment & sustainability statistics are missing for Rwanda?

No current reading is published for Rwanda on Mangrove Area, Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Operating Coal Power Capacity, Operating Wind Power Capacity, Temperature Change on Land and World Energy Trilemma Index. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.

08Method

Method, sources and how to cite

What this topic does not measure

Air quality and biodiversity are not keys, because the site does not yet hold data for them that passes every test. Forest cover, farmland, farm emissions and the renewable share of electricity are published here as context. Exposure to natural hazards belongs to Risk & Resilience.

About environment & sustainability, in full

How the Environment & Sustainability standing is decided

A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.

The environment & sustainability method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built

The key statistics and their licences

The other 43 statistics on this page come from 17 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.

The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Photographs

Rwanda’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.

Cite this page

Nations Inquiry (2026). Rwanda: Environment & Sustainability — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/rwanda/environment

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