Provided is a variable capacity rotary compressor, which has a passage for restricting a vane using a pressure applied towards a perpendicular direction to a direction of a motion of the vane. A ratiobetween a sectional area of the passage and a vane area of the vane facing the passage and receiving a restriction pressure applied thereto ranges from 1.5% to 16.4%, and accordingly the vane can smoothly perform a reciprocation upon a normal driving mode of the compressor and also the vane can be quickly restricted upon a saving driving mode of the compressor. Hence, the fast and stable restriction of the vane can prevent a vibration of the vane, so as to reduce noise generated from the compressor.