NISR’s annual report, the Statistical Year Book 2025, shows that 24.9 percent of all women who gave birth in 2024 underwent a caesarean section.
Out of more than 336,000 women who gave birth, over 83,000 required surgical delivery.
Medical experts explain that a caesarean section is often necessary when normal delivery puts the life of the mother or the baby at risk.
Why Caesarean Sections Are Performed
Normally, a baby turns head-down during the final weeks of pregnancy, from week 36 onward.
However, some babies remain in an abnormal position.
In other cases, complications arise during labor.
These conditions may force doctors to perform surgery to save both the mother and the child.
District Hospitals Lead in Caesarean Deliveries
The report shows that district hospitals performed the highest number of caesarean sections.
In 2024, more than 45,000 women were operated on in district hospitals, out of over 102,000 deliveries recorded at that level.
Caesarean Deliveries by Hospital Category
University hospitals performed over 5,000 caesarean sections, out of more than 9,000 births.
Second-level teaching hospitals conducted more than 20,000 surgical deliveries, from over 45,000 births.
Private hospitals carried out over 7,000 caesarean sections, among more than 12,000 deliveries.
Provincial hospitals recorded over 2,000 caesarean births, from more than 6,000 deliveries.
Health Centers Recorded No Caesarean Deliveries
The data shows that over 145,000 women delivered at health centers across the country, but none underwent caesarean section.
Similarly, more than 5,000 women gave birth at health posts, with no surgical deliveries recorded.
However, upgraded health centers operating as hospitals recorded over 9,000 births, including more than 1,000 caesarean sections.
Birth and Health Infrastructure in Rwanda
According to NISR, 417,972 babies were born in Rwanda in 2024.
Currently, Rwanda has:
- Over 510 health centers
- 57 hospitals
- Around 1,200 health posts
- 6 university hospitals
- 10 second-level teaching hospitals operating nationwide
Improving Maternal Health Services
Health authorities say the availability of caesarean services at district hospitals has improved access to life-saving maternal care.
They also stress the importance of early antenatal care to detect risks before delivery.
