Southern Province
The districts
Districts at a glance
| District | Population (2022) | People per km² | Urban | Unemployment (2025) | Median monthly pay (2025) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kamonyi | 450,849 | 683 | 31.6% | 17.4% | RWF 46,800 |
| Gisagara | 397,051 | 584 | 3.4% | 12.3% | RWF 26,000 |
| Huye | 381,900 | 657 | 20.9% | 12.4% | RWF 31,200 |
| Nyamagabe | 371,501 | 441 | 10.9% | 13.5% | RWF 31,200 |
| Nyanza | 365,718 | 545 | 9.2% | 13.5% | RWF 26,000 |
| Ruhango | 359,121 | 573 | 10.9% | 9.4% | RWF 31,200 |
| Muhanga | 358,433 | 555 | 24.3% | 12.6% | RWF 39,000 |
| Nyaruguru | 318,126 | 409 | 2.4% | 17.4% | RWF 31,200 |
Population, density and urban share are from the 2022 census. Unemployment and median monthly pay at the main job are 2025 Labour Force Survey estimates; district samples are small, so treat district differences of one or two points with care. National 2025 figures: unemployment 12.4%, median monthly pay RWF 39,000.
What the province offers investors
- Industry: the Muhanga industrial park, 135 ha with 7 companies (heavy and light industry), and the Huye park, 50 ha with 34 companies (light industry).
- Secondary cities: Huye is planned as the city of “education, knowledge and cultural history” and Muhanga as the centre for “hydropower and mining” and the creative economy.
- Nyungwe National Park: the UNESCO World Heritage forest in the south-west, between Huye and Rusizi.
- Kamonyi: 31.6% urban, next to Kigali on the road south.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many people live in the Southern Province?
3,002,699 in eight districts, the second-largest population after the Eastern Province. Only 14.8% live in urban areas.
Which are its secondary cities?
Huye, the university and heritage town, and Muhanga, west of Kigali.
Which district is the most urban?
Kamonyi, next to Kigali.
Which national park is in the Southern Province?
Nyungwe National Park.
Sources
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: Fifth Population and Housing Census 2022, Main Indicators Report
- geoBoundaries: Rwanda districts (ADM2), CC BY 4.0
- National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda: Labour Force Survey 2025, annual tables
- Ministry of Trade and Industry: Annual Report 2024-2025
- Ministry of Infrastructure: National Urbanization Policy (2015)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre: Nyungwe National Park
Figures checked 9 November 2026. Prepared by InvestRwanda.com for general information. Figures come from the sources listed.
