The last poverty assessment for Rwandawas conducted in 1997. Three years after the genocide, thecountry was characterized by deep and widespread poverty,rock-bottom health indicators, and pervasive hunger and foodinsecurity. In real terms, gross domestic product (GDP) percapita was lower than it had been in 1960. In real terms,the economy quadrupled between 1995 and 2013. Enrolment inprimary school is near universal and infant and childmortality are among the lowest in Africa. A large part ofthe population, including the extreme poor, is covered bypublic health insurance. This poverty assessment focuses onthe evolution of poverty and other social indicators overthe past decade (2000-1 and 2010-11). Using data from avariety of sources, mainly the three household livingstandards surveys (EICV) and the three demographic andhealth surveys (DHS) conducted during the past decade, thepoverty assessment documents trends in monetary andnon-monetary dimensions of living standards and examines thedrivers of observed trends. The aim of the povertyassessment is to provide policy makers and developmentpartners with information and analysis that can be used toimprove the effectiveness of their poverty reduction andsocial programs.