Indicator 3.c.1 - Health worker density and distribution - Indicators For The Sustainable Development Goals

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Headline data

Ratio of health workers per 1,000 population
Year	Value	GeoCode	UNIT_MEASURE	SERIES
2009	0.8		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2010	0.88		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2011	0.89		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2012	0.95		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2013	0.96		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2014	0.94		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2015	0.92		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2019	1.09		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2020	1.08		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2021	1.1		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2022	1.1		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2023	1.1		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]
2024	1.51		Per 1,000 population	Health workers per 1,000 population [3.c.1]

Source: Ministry of Health

Geographical Area: Rwanda

Unit of Measurement: Per 1,000 population

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Rwanda statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Rwandan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Rwandan-specific metadata information.

Indicator available	Ratio of health workers per 1,000 population
Indicator description	This indicator measures the number of skilled health workers per 1,000 population.
Geographical coverage	Rwanda
Unit of measurement	Per 1,000 population
Definitions	The aggregate measure of health worker density includes medical doctors, nurses, and midwives. Separate measures are given for the number of medical doctors and nurses per 1,000 population, and for the number of midwives per 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 49. Additionally, measures are given for the number of pharmacists and dentists per 1,000 population, but these are not included in the aggregate measure.
Calculations	(Number of health workers / Total population) * 1,000
Other information	Some figures were calculated specifically for this indicator. In some cases, this has involved inversing figures provided for population per health worker. In other cases, it has involved dividing total figures for the number of health workers by the total relevant population. Population figures were sourced from census results and associated population projections.
Comments and limitations	Since the methods used for obtaining these figures are not identical across data points, there may be some small variation caused by differing methods.
Data last updated	02/06/2026
Metadata last updated	02/06/2026

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator name	Health worker density and distribution
Indicator number	3.c.1
Target name	Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States
Target number	3.c
Global indicator description	Density of physicians, nursing and midwifery personnel, dentistry personnel, and pharmaceutical personnel per 1,000 persons.
UN designated tier	Tier I
UN custodian agency	World Health Organisation (WHO)
Link to UN metadata	United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Metadata (PDF 207 KB) opens in a new window

Source 1

Organisation	Ministry of Health
Periodicity	Annual
Earliest available data	2009
Geographical coverage	Rwanda
Link to data source	Annual Health Statistics Reports opens in a new window
Release date	2024
Next release	2026
Statistical classification	Administrative data
Contact details	info@moh.gov.rw
Other information	This is the source for data from 2009-2014 and 2019-2024. Specifically, the data may be found in the Rwanda Health Statistics Report 2009-2010, Rwanda Annual Health Statistics Booklet 2013 (which also includes data for 2011-2012), Rwanda Annual Health Statistics Booklet 2014, Rwanda Health Sector Performance Report 2017-2019, Rwanda Health Sector Performance Report 2019-2020, Health Sector Annual Performance Report 2020-2021, Annual Health Sector Performance Report Fiscal Year 2021-2022, FY 2022/2023 Backward-Looking Joint Health Sector Review Meeting Report, and Annual Health Statistical Booklet Fiscal Year 2023-2024. Data are provided in different formats across sources; some have been adapted to display in this dashboard. The original source for this data is the Human Resources for Health Information System (HRIS).

Source 2

Organisation	National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR)
Periodicity	Annual
Earliest available data	2009
Geographical coverage	Rwanda
Link to data source	Statistical Yearbook 2021 opens in a new window
Release date	2021
Next release	2027
Statistical classification	Administrative data
Contact details	info@statistics.gov.rw
Other information	This is the source for data from 2015. Data are provided as total numbers of health workers; these have been converted to ratios per 1,000 population by dividing by the relevant population figures and multiplying by 1,000. Population figures were sourced from the relevant Population and Housing Census statistics and population projections. The original source for these figures is the Rwanda Health Management Information System (R-HMIS).

Source 3

Organisation	Ministry of Health
Periodicity	Every 6 years
Earliest available data	2005
Geographical coverage	Rwanda
Link to data source	Fourth Health Sector Strategic Plan (July 2018-June 2024) opens in a new window
Release date	2018
Next release	2030
Statistical classification	Administrative data
Contact details	info@moh.gov.rw
Other information	This is the source for data from 2016. Data are provided as ratios of population per health worker; these have been inversed to display in this dashboard. The original source for these figures is the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS) for the Rwanda public service, as well as surveys and the Annual Health Statistical Booklet.

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