Kampala, Uganda – January 1, 2025 – The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) released the final report of the National Population and Housing Census 2024, revealing that 74% of Ugandans aged 10 and above are now literate, a significant milestone in the country’s education and human capital development.
However, the report also highlights the pressing challenge of a predominantly youthful population and the need for sustained investment in education and employment opportunities.
According to the UBOS report, released on December 31, 2024, “Seventy four percent of persons aged 10 and above were able to read and write meaningfully in any language.” This achievement comes as the result of a nationwide census, the first of its kind to be conducted digitally, providing a comprehensive overview of Uganda’s demographic, social, and economic realities.
While the literacy rate is a positive indicator, the census also revealed that half of Uganda’s population is under 18 years old, underscoring the necessity for continued and substantial investment in education systems to cater to this youthful demographic. “Half of Uganda’s population is under 18 years old, presenting a need for sustained investment in education systems to cater to this youthful demographic,” the report emphasized.
The census further highlighted other key findings, including that 81.1% of households have access to improved water sources, and 53.4% have electricity, though only 25.3% are connected to the national grid. Additionally, 33.1% of households are engaged in subsistence farming, indicating the prevalence of traditional livelihoods. A significant concern is the 42.6% of youth aged 15–24 who are Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), posing a critical challenge for workforce development.
UBOS Executive Director Chris Mukiza stated that the census results will facilitate evidence-based planning at both national and local government levels. “The census results would facilitate evidence-based National and Local Government planning processes; enable equitable distribution of resources across programmes and Local Governments and inform interventions in social services such as health, education, infrastructure, and housing,” Mukiza said. He added that the data would also benefit faith-based organizations, cultural institutions, NGOs, research institutions, and the international community.
The final report, according to Mukiza, “presents the final results of the National Population and Housing Census 2024 with data and statistics for key indicators reported at District/City level.” He further explained that detailed statistics down to the parish level, crucial for local government planning and the implementation of initiatives like the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Parish Development Model (PDM), will be published in March 2025.
The census data is also expected to play a crucial role in tracking Uganda’s progress towards achieving its socio-economic transformation goals as outlined in Vision 2040, the National Development Plans, and various regional and global development initiatives.
