Case studies

Describe population change in Uganda and which stage of the demographic population model it is in

Give statistics about improvements in health in Uganda

- Total health spending per person rises rapidly from $50 to $160 per year from 2004 to 2011, then back down to $120 per person in 2021. However, this is significantly lower than other countries such as the UK, where spending has increased from $2,673 in 2004 to $6,160 in 2021.

- The share of rural population with access to basic handwashing facilities has greatly increased from 0.8% in 2000 to 25.1% in 2022. Although this is still low, this could partly explain to decrease in death rate from around 15% in 2000 to around 5% in 2019.

Give statistics about improvements in education in Uganda

- Completion of primary education increases from around 35% to over 40% at its peak in 2008/2009. However, it then reduces to around 35% again for 2024. A low level of primary school education could contribute to low skilled jobs and therefore low economic productivity.

- The share of population with no formal education aged 15 to 64 decreased from 23.1% in 2000 to 5.7% in 2020, which could (contrastingly to the last figure) suggest more adults can go into more highly skilled employment.

Give statistics about improvements in economy in Uganda

• Percentage of the economy living below the poverty line decreased from around 35% in the 2000s to 21% in 2019

• GDP increased from $6 billion in 2000 to $34 billion in 2019

What are some sociable implications of population change in Uganda?

• Could bring about social and/ or political change because young people make up nearly half of all registered voters in Uganda

• Many people move to cities like Kampala in search of work; rapid urban growth often leads to slums, poor sanitation and overcrowding

• Schools and hospitals become overcrowded

What are some economic implications of population change in Uganda?

• Larger workforce, though not necessarily more jobs

  • 700,000 young people reach working age every year, but only 75,000 jobs are annually created

What are some environmental implications of population change in Uganda?

• More progressive in terms of climate change and 57% of young people in Uganda were concerned that climate change will have a strong impact on them and their families