A backpressure rotary compressor may include at least one vane, at least one vane slot configured to accommodate the at least one vane and provided with a pocket portion and a slide portion, and a backpressure passage provided with a backpressure inlet disposed in front of the at least one vane slot and a backpressure outlet formed in the pocket portion. The backpressure passage may perform a role of allowing a compression chamber and the pocket portion to communicate with each other. According to the backpressure passage rotary compressor, proper pressure may be supplied to an inner end of the vane, thereby reducing a mechanical loss caused by pressure occurring in a close contact portion between an outer end of the at least one vane and an inner circumferential surface of the cylinder, and achieving high efficiency in relation to driving a device.