Determinants of choices of livelihood strategies among young people in Rwanda

Using data from the 2016/2017 wave of the Integrated Household Living Condition Survey, this paper assesses livelihood strategies, the return to labour and drivers of choice of livelihood strategies among rural youth in Rwanda. The findings show that youth in Rwanda pursue four livelihood strategies, namely, agriculture, non-farm wages, self-employment, and diversification. Apparently, a non-farm wage is the most rewarding strategy. Age, sex, education, household size, land size, land productivity, and distance to the nearest urban centre influence the choice of livelihood strategies. The study recommends strengthening agricultural productivity-enhancing policies and the expansion of employment frontiers in the non-farm rural economy.