Rwanda has experienced high economic growth rates over the past decade,
averaging 5.6 percent per year, while poverty rates have declined over 13.4
percent. However, conventional wisdom is that the benefits of poverty
reduction have not been distributed equally. This paper sought to examine poverty
trends across Rwanda from 2010 to date by using non-monetary indicators based on
household assets, housing characteristics, and household size and composition. The
purpose of the study was to make an assessment of Standard of Living Indicators in
measuring Household Poverty in Rwanda, Evidence from Rutunga Sector in Gasabo
District. The study was guided by the following specific objectives: to evaluate the
extent of water accessibility so as to deduce the level of household povertyo detect the
type of floor rural households have in their homes so as to conclude on the level of
household poverty, to identify the different cooking fuel types used at Household level
so as to decide the level of poverty within the household and to verify different types of
assets owned by households so as to determine the level of their poverty. Descriptive
survey design was adopted in carrying out the study. The target population comprised
of 4,163 households of Rutunga Sector. The sample size of 365 households from
Rutunga Sector was determined using Slovin’s formula. Simple random sampling
technique was used to select households which constituted the study sample. Primary
and secondary data was used in this research. The study used questionnaires as
instruments for data collection. The variables were subjected to correlation analysis
and the Software Package for Social Sciences (SPSS V. 21) was used to analyze data.
Regression analysis was performed to establish the relationship between the study
variables as well as the strength of the relationship. Findings of the study will be
presented using frequency distribution tables and bar graphs. From the study, it was
found that accessibility of safe water, type of floor, type of cooking fuel and type of
assets owned by households influences the level of poverty in households. From the
study, it is concluded that there is a positive relationship between indicators of poverty
and level of poverty. accessibility of safe water, type of floor, type of cooking fuel and
type of assets owned by households influences the level of poverty in households. It is
recommended that the government and policy makers should focus on development of
remote areas in reducing the level of poverty through reach out developmental
programs such as bringing water to accessible distances to all households, providing
sensitization on importance of education and provide facilities.