The proportion of babies born with low birth weight in Rwanda has increased significantly, reaching 8.8% in 2025, according to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS7) released by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR).
Low birth weight is defined as a birth weight of less than 2.5 kilograms.
The latest figures show a steady increase over the past 15 years, raising concerns about newborn health and the need to strengthen maternal and child healthcare services.
According to the survey, low birth weight stood at 6.2% in 2010.
The figure increased slightly to 6.3% in 2014–15 before rising to 6.9% in 2019–20. By 2025, it had reached 8.8%.
This represents an increase of 2.6 percentage points from 2019–20 and a 41.9% rise compared with the 2010 level.
Low birth weight is an important indicator of maternal and newborn health. Babies born weighing less than 2.5 kilograms face a higher risk of illness and death during infancy and may also experience challenges related to growth and development.
The rise comes despite Rwanda’s continued progress in access to maternal healthcare.
The 2025 RDHS found that 95% of women who had a live birth in the two years preceding the survey received antenatal care from a skilled provider at least once, while 78% attended four or more antenatal care visits. In addition, 98% of births took place in health facilities and were attended by skilled providers.
The figures therefore highlight the importance of looking beyond access to health facilities and examining other factors that can influence birth outcomes, including maternal nutrition, pregnancy complications and the quality and continuity of antenatal care.
The long-term trend is clear: 6.2% in 2010, 6.3% in 2014–15, 6.9% in 2019–20 and 8.8% in 2025.
With nearly one in every 11 babies now recorded as having low birth weight, the latest findings underline the need for continued investment in maternal nutrition, quality antenatal services, early identification of pregnancy risks and appropriate newborn care.
The RDHS7 findings provide important evidence for policymakers and health authorities as Rwanda seeks to improve pregnancy outcomes and reduce preventable illness and deaths among mothers and children.