Demographic and Health Survey 2025
Rwanda, 2025
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Aug 06, 2026
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Aug 06, 2026
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Identification
Survey ID number
RWA_2025_DHS_v01_M
Title
Demographic and Health Survey 2025
Abbreviation or Acronym
RDHS/ DHS 2025
Country
| Name | Country code |
|---|---|
| Rwanda | RWA |
Study type
Demographic and Health Survey [hh/dhs]
Series Information
The 2025 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS) is the seventh Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) conducted in Rwanda, following those implemented in 1992, 2000, 2005, 2010, 2014–15, and 2019–20. A nationally representative sample of 560 clusters and 14,560 households was selected. All women aged 15–49 years who were usual residents of the selected households or who slept in the households the night before the survey were eligible for the survey. The main objectives of the 2025 RDHS survey were to provide up-to-date information on fertility and childhood mortality levels; fertility preferences; awareness, approval, and use of family planning methods; maternal and child health; knowledge of and attitudes toward HIV and AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs); and the prevalence of HIV among the adult population.
Abstract
The primary objective of the 2025 RDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of fundamental demographic and health indicators. Specifically, the survey collected information on fertility, awareness and use of family planning methods, breastfeeding practices, nutritional status of women and children, maternal and child health, adult and childhood mortality, women’s empowerment, domestic violence, awareness and behaviour regarding HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and other health-related issues. Additionally, the survey measured anthropometry and conducted tests to measure the prevalence of anemia and HIV.
The information collected through the 2025 RDHS is intended to assist policymakers and programme managers in designing and evaluating programmes and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population. The survey also provides indicators relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Rwanda.
The information collected through the 2025 RDHS is intended to assist policymakers and programme managers in designing and evaluating programmes and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population. The survey also provides indicators relevant to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for Rwanda.
Kind of Data
Sample survey data [ssd]
Unit of Analysis
- Household
- Individual
- Children age 0-5
- Woman age 15-49
- Man age 15-59
- Individual
- Children age 0-5
- Woman age 15-49
- Man age 15-59
Version
Version Notes
The data dictionary was generated from hierarchical data that was downloaded from the The DHS Program website (http://dhsprogram.com).
- Contract Phase: DHS-9
- Recode Structure:DHS-8
- Contract Phase: DHS-9
- Recode Structure:DHS-8
Scope
Notes
The 2025 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey covered the following topics:
HOUSEHOLD
• Usual members and visitors in the selected households
• Background information on each person listed, such as relationship to head of the household, age, sex, marital status, survivorship and residence of biological parents, ever attended school, current/recent school attendance, birth registration, health, somoke, dog and/ snake bite, and disability.
• Characteristics of the household's dwelling unit, such as the source of water and where it is located, type of toilet facilities and where it is located, type of fuel used for cooking, main source of light for the home, type of fuel used for cooking, number of rooms, ownership of livestock, possessions of durable goods, and main material for the floor, roof and walls of the dwelling.
INDIVIDUAL WOMAN
• Background characteristics (including age, education, and media exposure)
• Birth history and child mortality
• Knowledge, use, and source of family planning methods
• Antenatal, delivery, and postnatal care
• Vaccinations and childhood illnesses
• Breastfeeding and infant feeding practices
• Women’s minimum dietary diversity
• Marriage and sexual activity
• Fertility preferences (including desire for more children and ideal number of children)
• Women’s work and husbands’ background characteristics
• Knowledge, awareness, and behavior regarding HIV and other STIs
• Knowledge, attitudes, and behavior related to other health issues (e.g., smoking)
• Early childhood development
• Human papillomavirus vaccination
• Cervical cancer
• Adult and maternal mortality
• Domestic violence
INDIVIDUAL MAN
• Background characteristics
• Reproduction
• Contraception
• Marriage and sexual activity
• Fertility preferences
• Employment and gender roles
• HIV/AIDS
• Other health issues
• Domestic violence
BIOMARKER
• Weight, height, and hemoglobin measurement for children age 0-5
• Weight, height, hemoglobin measurement, and HIV testing for women age 15-49
• Weight, height, and HIV testing for men age 15-59
REMEASUREMENT
• Remeasurement of weight and height for selected children age 0-4
Coverage
Geographic Coverage
National coverage
Universe
The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women aged 15-49, all men aged 15-59, and all children aged 0-5 resident in the household.
Producers and sponsors
Primary investigators
| Name | Affiliation |
|---|---|
| National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) | Government of Rwanda |
Producers
| Name | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Ministry of Health | Government of Rwanda | Collaborated in the implementation of the survey |
| Rwanda Biomedical Centre | Government of Rwanda | Collaborated in the implementation of the survey |
| ICF |
Funding Agency/Sponsor
| Name | Abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Government of Rwanda | Govt. RWA |
| World Bank Group | WBG |
| European Union | EU |
| United Nations Rwanda, the United Nations Children’s Fund | UNICEF |
| United Nations Population Fund | UNFPA |
| United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women | UNWOMEN |
| World Food Programme | WFP |
| World Health Organization | WHO |
| Expertise France, the National Child Development Agency | NCDA |
| World Vision | |
| Gates Foundation | |
| Clinton Health Access Initiative | CHAI |
| United Nations Development Programme | UNDP |
| Rwanda Biomedical Centre | RBC |
| Partners in Health | PIH |
| Plan International | |
| AIDS Healthcare Foundation | AHF |
Sampling
Sampling Procedure
The 2025 RDHS used the 2022 Rwanda Population and Housing Census as its sampling frame and applied a two-stage design to generate estimates nationally, by residence, province, and for some indicators, by district. In the first stage, 560 clusters were selected from census enumeration areas, including 198 urban and 362 rural clusters.
In the second stage, households were systematically selected from listings prepared in the sampled areas between December 2024 and March 2025. Twenty-six households were chosen per sample point producing a total sample of 14,560 households, with weights added to make national results proportional.
The survey included eligible women, men, and children based on household selection and residence status, with specific subsamples used for men’s interviews, anthropometric measurements, HIV testing, anemia testing, and domestic violence modules.
For further details on sample design, see Appendix A of the final report.
In the second stage, households were systematically selected from listings prepared in the sampled areas between December 2024 and March 2025. Twenty-six households were chosen per sample point producing a total sample of 14,560 households, with weights added to make national results proportional.
The survey included eligible women, men, and children based on household selection and residence status, with specific subsamples used for men’s interviews, anthropometric measurements, HIV testing, anemia testing, and domestic violence modules.
For further details on sample design, see Appendix A of the final report.
Response Rate
A total of 14,560 households were selected for the sample, of which 14,434 were occupied. All but seven occupied households (14,427) were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of nearly 100%. Among the interviewed households, 14,396 women aged 15–49 years were eligible for individual interviews; interviews were completed with 14,283 women, yielding a response rate of 99%. In the subsample selected for the male survey, 7,280 households were selected, of which 7,218 were occupied. All but four occupied households (7,214) were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of more than 99%. Within this subsample, 6,667 men aged 15–59 years were identified, and 6,548 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 98%.
Weighting
Design weights were adjusted for household nonresponse as well as for individual nonresponse to obtain the sampling weights for households and for women and men, respectively. All of the nonresponse adjustments were done at the sampling stratum level. Differences in the household sampling weights and the individual sampling weights were introduced by individual nonresponse. The final sampling weights were normalized so that the total number of unweighted cases would be equal to the total number of weighted cases at the national level for both household weights and individual weights. The HIV testing weights were normalized for women and men together at the national level so that the HIV prevalence rates calculated for women and men in combination were valid. Sampling weights for the domestic violence module were calculated based on the number of eligible female and male respondents in the households selected for the women’s domestic violence module and the men’s domestic violence module, respectively. The following sets of weights were calculated:
• one set for all households selected for the survey
• one set for the women’s individual survey
• one set for households selected for the male survey
• one set for the men’s individual survey
• one set for the women’s domestic violence module
• one set for the men’s domestic violence module
• one set for women’s HIV testing
• one set for men’s HIV testing
It is important to note that normalized weights are relative weights that are valid for estimating means, proportions, and ratios but not valid for estimating population totals or for pooled data. Normalization must be done at the national level; normalizing weights in a piece-wise manner, for example province by province, can introduce bias for national indicators. Also, the number of weighted cases using the normalized weight has no direct relation with survey precision because it is relative. Especially for oversampled areas, the number of weighted cases is much smaller than the number of unweighted cases, with only the latter being directly related to survey precision.
For further details on sampling weights, see Appendix A.4 of the final report.
• one set for all households selected for the survey
• one set for the women’s individual survey
• one set for households selected for the male survey
• one set for the men’s individual survey
• one set for the women’s domestic violence module
• one set for the men’s domestic violence module
• one set for women’s HIV testing
• one set for men’s HIV testing
It is important to note that normalized weights are relative weights that are valid for estimating means, proportions, and ratios but not valid for estimating population totals or for pooled data. Normalization must be done at the national level; normalizing weights in a piece-wise manner, for example province by province, can introduce bias for national indicators. Also, the number of weighted cases using the normalized weight has no direct relation with survey precision because it is relative. Especially for oversampled areas, the number of weighted cases is much smaller than the number of unweighted cases, with only the latter being directly related to survey precision.
For further details on sampling weights, see Appendix A.4 of the final report.
Survey instrument
Questionnaires
Five questionnaires were used for the 2025 RDHS: the Household Questionnaire, the Woman’s Questionnaire, the Man’s Questionnaire, the Biomarker Questionnaire, and the Remeasurement Questionnaire. The questionnaires were based on The DHS Program’s standard Demographic and Health Survey questionnaires (DHS-8 version) and were adapted to reflect the population and health issues relevant to Rwanda. Comments were solicited from various stakeholders representing government ministries and agencies, nongovernmental organizations, and development partners. The survey protocol was reviewed and approved by the Rwanda National Ethics Committee (RNEC). After all questionnaires were finalized in English, they were translated into Kinyarwanda. The 2025 RDHS used computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) for data collection.
Data collection
Dates of Data Collection
| Start | End |
|---|---|
| 2025-07 | 2025-11 |
Data Collection Mode
- Face-to-face computer-assisted interviews [capi]
Data Collectors
| Name | Affiliation | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda | Government of Rwanda | NISR |
Data Collection Notes
Data collection was carried out by 20 field teams. Each team was provided with a four-wheel drive truck and a driver, as well as a pickup for the biomarker technicians and their materials, also with a driver. All DBS specimens were transferred to the NISR office every 3 to 4 days by field supervisors and coordinators, after which they were transferred from NISR to the RBC/National Reference Laboratory, where they were registered and stored professionally.
The fieldwork for the 2025 RDHS was carried out under close supervision and coordination starting on 5 June 2025 in the clusters of the first 20 districts, where one team was responsible for one district. These 20 districts included all districts of the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Provinces and one district in the Western Province. The teams were closely monitored by the field coordinators for quality control. After completion of the fieldwork in the first 20 districts, all teams were then dispatched to the final 10 districts. Data collection for the 2025 RDHS was completed on 25 October 2025.
Fieldwork monitoring was an integral part of the 2025 RDHS, and several rounds of monitoring were carried out by survey supervisors and coordinators from NISR and MoH/RBC. Training was provided on how to use the field check tables to monitor the fieldwork. The field check tables were generated regularly from the team leaders’ tablets and were accessed by all supervisors and coordinators, whose feedback was communicated regularly to the teams.
The fieldwork for the 2025 RDHS was carried out under close supervision and coordination starting on 5 June 2025 in the clusters of the first 20 districts, where one team was responsible for one district. These 20 districts included all districts of the Southern, Eastern, and Northern Provinces and one district in the Western Province. The teams were closely monitored by the field coordinators for quality control. After completion of the fieldwork in the first 20 districts, all teams were then dispatched to the final 10 districts. Data collection for the 2025 RDHS was completed on 25 October 2025.
Fieldwork monitoring was an integral part of the 2025 RDHS, and several rounds of monitoring were carried out by survey supervisors and coordinators from NISR and MoH/RBC. Training was provided on how to use the field check tables to monitor the fieldwork. The field check tables were generated regularly from the team leaders’ tablets and were accessed by all supervisors and coordinators, whose feedback was communicated regularly to the teams.
Data appraisal
Estimates of Sampling Error
The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: non-sampling errors and sampling errors. Non-sampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2025 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (2025 RDHS) to minimize this type of error, non-sampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.
Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2025 RDHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and sample size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability among all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.
Sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus and minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95% of all possible samples of identical size and design.
If the sample of respondents had been selected by simple random sampling, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the 2025 RDHS sample was the result of a multistage stratified cluster design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use more complex formulas. Sampling errors are computed using SAS programs developed by ICF. These programs use the Taylor linearization method to estimate variances for survey estimates that are means, medians, proportions, or ratios. The Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility rates and mortality rates.
A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in APPENDIX B of the survey report.
Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2025 RDHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and sample size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability among all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results.
Sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus and minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95% of all possible samples of identical size and design.
If the sample of respondents had been selected by simple random sampling, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the 2025 RDHS sample was the result of a multistage stratified cluster design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use more complex formulas. Sampling errors are computed using SAS programs developed by ICF. These programs use the Taylor linearization method to estimate variances for survey estimates that are means, medians, proportions, or ratios. The Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility rates and mortality rates.
A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in APPENDIX B of the survey report.
Data Appraisal
Data Quality Tables
- Household age distribution
- Age distribution of eligible and interviewed women
- Age distribution of eligible and interviewed men
- Age displacement at ages
- Age displacement at ages 49/50
- Pregnancy outcomes by years preceding the survey
- Completeness of reporting
- Standardization exercise results from anthropometry training
- Height and weight data completeness and quality for children
- Height measurements from random subsample of measured children
- Interference in weight measurements of children
- Interference in height and weight measurements of women and men
- Heaping in anthropometric measurements for children (digit preference)
- Observation of handwashing facility
- School attendance by single year of age
- Vaccination cards photographed
- Number of enumeration areas completed by month and province
- Sibship size and sex ratio of siblings
- Pregnancy-related mortality trends
See details of the data quality tables in Appendix C of the final report.
- Household age distribution
- Age distribution of eligible and interviewed women
- Age distribution of eligible and interviewed men
- Age displacement at ages
- Age displacement at ages 49/50
- Pregnancy outcomes by years preceding the survey
- Completeness of reporting
- Standardization exercise results from anthropometry training
- Height and weight data completeness and quality for children
- Height measurements from random subsample of measured children
- Interference in weight measurements of children
- Interference in height and weight measurements of women and men
- Heaping in anthropometric measurements for children (digit preference)
- Observation of handwashing facility
- School attendance by single year of age
- Vaccination cards photographed
- Number of enumeration areas completed by month and province
- Sibship size and sex ratio of siblings
- Pregnancy-related mortality trends
See details of the data quality tables in Appendix C of the final report.
access_policy
Access conditions
Request Dataset Access
The following applies to DHS, MIS, AIS and SPA survey datasets (Surveys, GPS, and HIV).
To request dataset access, you must first be a registered user of the website. You must then create a new research project request. The request must include a project title and a description of the analysis you propose to perform with the data.
The requested data should only be used for the purpose of the research or study. To request the same or different data for another purpose, a new research project request should be submitted. The DHS Program will normally review all data requests within 24 hours (Monday - Friday) and provide notification if access has been granted or additional project information is needed before access can be granted.
DATASET ACCESS APPROVAL PROCESS
Access to DHS, MIS, AIS and SPA survey datasets (Surveys, HIV, and GPS) is requested and granted by country. This means that when approved, full access is granted to all unrestricted survey datasets for that country. Access to HIV and GIS datasets requires an online acknowledgment of the conditions of use.
Required Information
A dataset request must include contact information, a research project title, and a description of the analysis you propose to perform with the data.
Restricted Datasets
A few datasets are restricted and these are noted. Access to restricted datasets is requested online as with other datasets. An additional consent form is required for some datasets, and the form will be emailed to you upon authorization of your account. For other restricted surveys, permission must be granted by the appropriate implementing organizations, before The DHS Program can grant access. You will be emailed the information for contacting the implementing organizations. A few restricted surveys are authorized directly within The DHS Program, upon receipt of an email request.
When The DHS Program receives authorization from the appropriate organizations, the user will be contacted, and the datasets made available by secure FTP.
GPS/HIV Datasets/Other Biomarkers
Because of the sensitive nature of GPS, HIV and other biomarkers datasets, permission to access these datasets requires that you accept a Terms of Use Statement. After selecting GPS/HIV/Other Biomarkers datasets, the user is presented with a consent form which should be signed electronically by entering the password for the user's account.
Dataset Terms of Use
Once downloaded, the datasets must not be passed on to other researchers without the written consent of The DHS Program. All reports and publications based on the requested data must be sent to The DHS Program Data Archive in a Portable Document Format (pdf) or a printed hard copy.
Download Datasets
Datasets are made available for download by survey. You will be presented with a list of surveys for which you have been granted dataset access. After selecting a survey, a list of all available datasets for that survey will be displayed, including all survey, GPS, and HIV data files. However, only data types for which you have been granted access will be accessible. To download, simply click on the files that you wish to download and a "File Download" prompt will guide you through the remaining steps.
The following applies to DHS, MIS, AIS and SPA survey datasets (Surveys, GPS, and HIV).
To request dataset access, you must first be a registered user of the website. You must then create a new research project request. The request must include a project title and a description of the analysis you propose to perform with the data.
The requested data should only be used for the purpose of the research or study. To request the same or different data for another purpose, a new research project request should be submitted. The DHS Program will normally review all data requests within 24 hours (Monday - Friday) and provide notification if access has been granted or additional project information is needed before access can be granted.
DATASET ACCESS APPROVAL PROCESS
Access to DHS, MIS, AIS and SPA survey datasets (Surveys, HIV, and GPS) is requested and granted by country. This means that when approved, full access is granted to all unrestricted survey datasets for that country. Access to HIV and GIS datasets requires an online acknowledgment of the conditions of use.
Required Information
A dataset request must include contact information, a research project title, and a description of the analysis you propose to perform with the data.
Restricted Datasets
A few datasets are restricted and these are noted. Access to restricted datasets is requested online as with other datasets. An additional consent form is required for some datasets, and the form will be emailed to you upon authorization of your account. For other restricted surveys, permission must be granted by the appropriate implementing organizations, before The DHS Program can grant access. You will be emailed the information for contacting the implementing organizations. A few restricted surveys are authorized directly within The DHS Program, upon receipt of an email request.
When The DHS Program receives authorization from the appropriate organizations, the user will be contacted, and the datasets made available by secure FTP.
GPS/HIV Datasets/Other Biomarkers
Because of the sensitive nature of GPS, HIV and other biomarkers datasets, permission to access these datasets requires that you accept a Terms of Use Statement. After selecting GPS/HIV/Other Biomarkers datasets, the user is presented with a consent form which should be signed electronically by entering the password for the user's account.
Dataset Terms of Use
Once downloaded, the datasets must not be passed on to other researchers without the written consent of The DHS Program. All reports and publications based on the requested data must be sent to The DHS Program Data Archive in a Portable Document Format (pdf) or a printed hard copy.
Download Datasets
Datasets are made available for download by survey. You will be presented with a list of surveys for which you have been granted dataset access. After selecting a survey, a list of all available datasets for that survey will be displayed, including all survey, GPS, and HIV data files. However, only data types for which you have been granted access will be accessible. To download, simply click on the files that you wish to download and a "File Download" prompt will guide you through the remaining steps.
Citation requirements
Recommended citations are available at https://www.dhsprogram.com/publications/Recommended-Citations.cfm
Disclaimer and copyrights
Disclaimer
The user of the data acknowledges that the original collector of the data, the authorized distributor of the data, and the relevant funding agency bear no responsibility for use of the data or for interpretations or inferences based upon such uses.
Contacts
Contacts
| Name | Affiliation | |
|---|---|---|
| Information about The DHS Program | The DHS Program | reports@DHSprogram.com |
| General Inquiries | The DHS Program | info@dhsprogram.com |
| Data and Data Related Resources | The DHS Program | archive@dhsprogram.com |
Metadata production
DDI Document ID
DDI_RWA_2025_DHS_v01_M
Producers
| Name | Abbreviation | Affiliation | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Development Data Group | DECDG | World Bank Group | Documentation of the survey |
Date of Metadata Production
2026-08-06T04:00:00.000Z
Metadata version
DDI Document version
Version 01 (August 2026). Metadata is excerpted from "Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey 2025" final report.