Kampala, Uganda The Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBOS) recently released the final report of the National Population and Housing Census 2024, revealing a nation experiencing rapid population growth, significant youth unemployment, and notable disparities in access to essential services. The census, conducted in May 2024, provides a detailed snapshot of Uganda’s demographic, social, and economic landscape.
According to the report, Uganda’s population has reached 45,905,417, marking a 2.9% average annual growth rate since the 2014 census. “Uganda’s population as of May 2024 was 45,905,417 persons, reflecting an average annual growth rate of 2.9 percent since the last Census in 2014,” the report stated. This rapid growth presents both opportunities and challenges, with half of the population under the age of 18. Five in every one hundred persons are aged 60 and above, necessitating substantial investments in education and employment.
The census highlighted a critical issue of youth unemployment. “The share of Youth (15-24 years) Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) was 4,001,528 persons (42.6%),” the report revealed. The overall unemployment rate for the working-age population (15 years and above), which comprises 25,494,490 persons (57.4% of the population), stood at 12.3%. Experts warn that this level of youth unemployment could lead to social instability, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.
Despite these challenges, the census also indicated progress in literacy and access to basic services. “Seventy four percent of persons aged 10 and above were able to read and write meaningfully in any language,” the report stated. Additionally, eight in ten (81.1%) households have access to improved water sources, and slightly over a half (53.4%) of households have access to electricity, with 25.3% connected to the national grid and 28.1% relying on solar power.
However, disparities persist. “One third (33.1%) of the households were in subsistence economy,” indicating the continued prevalence of traditional livelihoods. The report also highlighted mental health concerns, revealing that “Twelve percent of persons aged 10 and above had experienced at least some form of probable general psychological distress.”
Geographically, Buganda sub-region recorded the highest population at 11,171,924 people, while Sebei sub-region had the lowest at 377,294 people. Wakiso district was the most populated with 3,411,177 people, and Kalangala was the least populated with 74,411 people. The population density of Uganda was reported as 190 persons per square kilometer, a significant increase from 25 persons per square kilometer in 1948, reflecting a steady rise in population density across census years. The total daytime population across the eleven cities of Uganda was 5,547,645 persons, with Kampala Capital City having the highest daytime population of 2,503,174 persons and Fort Portal having the lowest daytime population of 176,994 persons.
The census also provided insights into religious and marital patterns. “Total household population was dominated by Christians (81.7%) and Islamic faith (13.2%). Five in every ten persons (50.6%) aged 18 years and above were married while one in every four persons (26.6%) were cohabiting/living together.” Birth registration remained low, with only 31.8% having birth notification documents and 11.4% registered with birth certificates. Eleven percent of the total household population were registered with the National Identification Registration Authority (NIRA).
Regarding education, four in every ten (41.6%) children aged 3 to 5 were attending Early Childhood Education, and three in every four children (75.2%) of primary school going age (6-12 years) were attending school, with 8.9 million learners in primary school in 2024 regardless of their age. 5.8 million learners aged 6-12 years were attending primary school in 2024. Secondary school attendance was lower, with three in every five persons (62.0%) of secondary school going age (13-18 years) attending. Thirty nine percent of the population aged 10 and above attained some primary-level education, while 20.2 percent had no formal education. Nearly 8 in 10 males (76.6%) and 7 in 10 (71.6%) females were literate.
Health insurance coverage remained extremely low, with only 1.1% of the household population covered. There were no sex disparities between males and females in health insurance coverage. The health insurance coverage in urban (1.6%) was more than two times that of rural areas (0.7%). Regional variations show that Kampala Capital City had the highest (4.1%) health insurance coverage, while Bukedi and Sebei sub-regions had the lowest (0.4% each).
The UBOS report aims to provide crucial data for policymakers, enabling evidence-based planning and resource allocation to address the country’s pressing challenges and achieve its development goals.
