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The genocide in Rwanda, which took place in 1994, was the mass extermination of hundreds of thousands of people. In her article written in 2014, Provost analyzes the significant changes that occurred in Rwanda twenty years after the genocide. The author notes that while, in general, Rwandans live longer and are better off, there are also indications of severe poverty and political repressions. The data offered in the study help to understand the significant alterations in Rwandans’ lives between 1994 and 2014.
The author uses data to describe the development and changes in such spheres as demography, economy, foreign aid, health and education, and the females’ status. When analyzing population density, Provost (2014) notes that it had risen considerably from 208 people per square kilometer in 1980 to 230 in 1995 to 452 in 2011. Additionally, the author notes that the population has changed its preferences related to the place of living. If in 1995, only 8% of Rwandans lived in towns and cities; in 2012, almost one-fifth of people inhabited urban areas. Life expectancy has increased from 48 years in 2000 to over 62 years in 2011 (Provost, 2014). However, the rate of individuals under fifteen years old has not changed much since the 1980s, constituting about 40-50%.
In the investigation of the country’s economy, Provost (2014) draws the readers’ attention to a notable change in GDP per capita, which has increased from $575 in 1995 to nearly $1,170 in 2012. While the poverty rate has decreased, the author notes that about 63% of Rwandans live on less than $1.25 a day, and 82% of people live on less than $2 a day. As of 2011, the top 10% of Rwandans earned 43% of the whole income of the country (Provost, 2014). In the same year, 20% of Rwanda’s gross national income was gained through foreign aid.
Provost (2014) notes a positive change in the health and education sectors. Specifically, the number of deaths among children aged from one to five has decreased from 230 per 1,000 in 1998 to 55 in 2012. Infant mortality has fallen considerably: from 120 deaths per 1,000 in 1998 to 40 deaths in 2012 (Provost, 2014). As of 2011, about 17% of the country’s expenditure was spent on education and nearly 24% – on health.
Finally, the author analyzes the development of females’ rights in Rwanda. Provost (2014) reports that about 64% of Rwanda’s members of parliament are women, whereas worldwide, the rate is 22%. In the primary school sector, female teachers outnumber male ones. However, according to Provost (2014), the representation of females (28%) in secondary education is lower than that of males and even lower than that (16%) in higher education.
Although there is a link to the complete data used in the article at the bottom of the study, it cannot be accessed. Therefore, it is only possible to rely on the statistics provided by Provost (2014) in various charts. However, if to assume that the evidence is reliable and based on original sources, it is possible to conclude that the article would not be so valuable without it. With the help of information arranged in statistical charts, the author has managed to offer a full-scale picture of how the country has developed over two decades and what significant changes took place in it. Without the data, the story would not have been as convincing as it is. The whole article is grounded in statistics, which makes its value instead restricted without evidence.
Reference
Provost, C. (2014). Rwanda: A puzzling tale of growth and political repression – Get the data. The Guardian. Web.
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