A new national health survey shows that alcohol consumption remains widespread in Rwanda, with nearly half of men reporting that they drink, according to the Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey (RDHS 2026) conducted by the National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda (National Institute of Statistics of Rwanda).
The findings indicate that 50% of men aged 15 and above consumed alcohol in the month preceding the survey, compared to 18% of women aged 15 to 49.
Among those who reported drinking, the majority said they did so occasionally. About 78% of women and 51% of men who consumed alcohol reported drinking on one to five days during the reference month. However, regular consumption remains notable, with 15% of men and 7% of women saying they drink daily or nearly every day.
The survey also highlights differences in drinking patterns by quantity. Nearly half of female drinkers (48%) reported consuming one glass or less per drinking day, compared to 32% of men. Higher levels of consumption were more common among men, with 37% reporting two drinks per day and 12% consuming six or more drinks on drinking days.
Education levels show a clear correlation with alcohol use. Daily drinking was highest among people with no formal education (12.7%), followed by those with primary education (6.8%), secondary education (5.9%), and tertiary education or higher (2.4%).
Geographically, Kigali City recorded the highest proportion of daily drinkers at 9.8%, followed by the Eastern Province (7.6%), Northern Province (7.4%), Western Province (7%), and Southern Province (4.5%).
The report also points to a strong gender gap in tobacco use. Less than 1% of women aged 15–49 reported smoking, compared to 6% of men. Among male smokers, 70% consume fewer than five cigarettes per day, while 21% smoke between five and nine cigarettes daily.
Use of smokeless tobacco products, such as chewing or powdered tobacco, remains minimal, with prevalence below 1% among both men and women.
