How Does Rwanda Do It?

This question is one everybody should be asking. It’s a lesson everyone should be learning. But we are not wired to learn lessons from unexpected places. Why should we be learning from a country whose GDP per capita is less than an hourly rate for a big-shot attorney? And this is where I think statistics can be a dangerous tool because we can twist statistics to match the political leanings of the statistician.

There is a tiny little country in the middle of East Africa called Rwanda, and please allow me to use it as my case study. If you have never heard of Rwanda, I suggest you head to Google Earth and check it out. This country has been defying statistics for over 27 years, but statistics have adamantly refused to recognize Rwanda’s epic performance. Why is this? I believe there are two reasons. One is that statistics can be deceptive if taken out of context. Second, I think the world of statistics and economic scholarship is distracted by the global politics that dictate what we see and know.

Let me throw in this one example here: Some of us may know and respect Reuters. I think Reuters has some good reporting on a good day. But when Reuters reports that Rwanda has immunized 3.4% of its population, this is a misplaced statistic. Or, take this other statistic that Rwanda has administered 845,000 doses of COVID vaccines so far. Another misleading statistic if not taken in context. Let’s make some comparisons here. About 40% of the US population is above the age of 50. Do you know the percentage of 50+-year-olds in Randa? Under 6%, and by now, we know COVID’s severity based on age.

With 845,000 doses administered in Rwanda, we are talking about a tiny, impoverished country in statistical terms administering more vaccines than its 50+ age population. In global statistics, we are also talking about this seemingly nameless country having its entire 40+ age population open to receiving a vaccine today. This kind of speed and efficiency is something we haven’t seen in many places.

Right about now could be the perfect time to ask: How does this small, statistically insignificant country do it? Or a better question: How has this small country cut down its fertility rate by 30% while everywhere else in Africa, the fertility rate is going up?

How has this small country managed to increase its life expectancy by 40% and cut infant mortality by 76% in a little less than 20 years? How does Rwanda do it? Can we replicate their knowledge somewhere else? Should we be studying Rwanda instead of engaging untested recommendations by prominent researchers?

If we want to learn how they do it, we have to make a trip, a phone call, a conference call, and ask Rwanda’s leadership. And from the little I know about that country’s leadership, they are always willing to share knowledge and experiences. But only if we are humble enough to ask.