UBOS Population Projections Highlight Economic Opportunities and Threats

The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) recently released the Population Census and Projection report for October 2023, indicating that Uganda’s population stands at 46.2 million, with 22.7 million males and 23.4 million females. This demographic insight reveals both opportunities and threats that require immediate government attention for economic growth.

Kampala, Uganda’s capital, reflects a city experiencing a rising adult population, confirmed by statisticians at UBOS in the recent report. The total population of Uganda now exceeds 46.2 million, with 23.5 million females and 22.8 million males.

Economist Francis Muhiire points out that this population projection report holds significant implications for Uganda, encompassing both opportunities and challenges. Analyzing the data by age group, it shows that Uganda has 7.6 million people aged 0-4, 6.7 million aged 5-9, 5.8 million aged 10-14, and 5.3 million aged 15-19. Economist Muhiire emphasizes that this demographic structure places a considerable dependency burden on the working-age population, reducing their disposable income, among other challenges.

Data on Uganda’s working population, both in the formal and informal sectors, may be limited, but the country has around 15 to 16 million people aged 25 to 60. Unfortunately, this age group is experiencing high unemployment rates, which economists deem problematic.

To harness the benefits associated with the “demographic dividend,” significant investments need to be made. Uganda boasts one of the world’s youngest populations, and experts warn that failing to invest substantially in the right areas may hinder the country’s progress and keep it from reaching its full economic potential.

Population by Age Group as of October 2023