Nearly seven in 10 Catholic men in Rwanda aged 15 to 49 have been circumcised, according to the 2025 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS), which highlights religion, education, wealth and location as factors associated with circumcision rates.
The survey by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (NISR) found that 69.5% of Catholic men in the age group reported having undergone circumcision.
Muslim men recorded the highest rate at 95.7%, followed by Seventh-day Adventists at 75.3% and Protestants at 72.2%. Among men with no religious affiliation, 68.2% reported being circumcised.
Overall, 72% of Rwandan men aged 15 to 49 have been circumcised, according to the survey, which was based on responses from 6,548 men aged 15 to 59. The analysis on religious affiliation covered 5,891 men aged 15 to 49.
The findings show that education levels are strongly associated with circumcision rates. Among men with no formal education, 44.5% were circumcised, compared with 63.8% among those who completed primary education. The rate rose to 89.8% among men with secondary education and 90.5% among those with education beyond secondary level.
Economic status also showed differences, with circumcision rates increasing alongside household wealth. Among men from the poorest households, 55.9% were circumcised, compared with 86.2% among those from the wealthiest households.
Age was another factor, with younger men recording higher circumcision rates. The rate stood at 86.3% among men aged 15 to 19 and 90% among those aged 20 to 24, before declining among older age groups.
The survey found that 44% of men aged 40 to 44 and 41.9% of those aged 45 to 49 were circumcised.
Geographical differences were also recorded, with Kigali having the highest circumcision rate among men aged 15 to 49 at 81.5%. The Eastern Province followed with 74.2%, Western Province with 71.2%, Southern Province with 66.2% and Northern Province with 65.6%.
Rwanda’s male circumcision rate has increased significantly over the past 15 years, rising from 13% in 2010 to 30% in 2015 and 40% in 2020.
The RDHS 2025 findings show that 28% of Rwandan men aged 15 to 49 remain uncircumcised.
