Child Survival in Rwanda, an Analysis of 1965-1977 Crisis

Eneas Gakusi, Centre D'Etudes et de Recherches sur le Développement International (CERDI)

The paper discusses the unexpected relationships between under-five mortality and economic development in Rwanda since 1950. Under-five mortality declined from 346 per 1000 in 1950 to 229 per 1000 in 1965; then it rose to 261 per 1000 in 1977, to decline again, reaching a level of 132 per 1000 in 1992. The period of mortality increase corresponded to a period of economic growth driven by increases in coffee prices on international markets and increase in income, whereas the period of mortality decline occurred during an economic downturn. The first period was marked by the rapid departure of expatriates, the lack of international aid, the flight of educated persons of Tutsi origin, following fights between Hutu and Tutsi between 1959 and 1966. During the second period, the political context and social indicators became more favorable with increasing political stability and more international aid.