Quick facts
Uganda population overview
Uganda is the 9th most populous of 58 countries and territories in Africa. The United Nations put the population at 52,072,508 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +2.6% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 3,735 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 1,723,600 births (33.1 per 1,000 people) and 244,741 deaths (4.7 per 1,000), and net emigration of roughly 119,767 people. The infant mortality rate is 26.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 7,640,973 in 1960 to 51,384,894 in 2025 — a change of +572.5%, or +3% per year on average. The population is at its all-time high today.
Demographically, the median age is 17.1 years; life expectancy at birth is 68.9 years; women have on average 4.2 children (2024, above the 2.1 replacement level); 43.1% of residents are under 15 and 2.2% are 65 or older (2025); 31.9% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Kampala. Uganda covers 241,550 km², giving a population density of about 220 people per km². GDP was $61.99B in 2025 — about $1,206 per person (World Bank classification: low income).
Uganda population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 53,160,501 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 52,072,508 |
| World rank | #30 of 238 |
| Rank in Africa | #9 of 58 |
| Share of world population | 0.6% |
| Annual growth rate | +2.6% |
| Births per year est. | 1,723,600 |
| Deaths per year est. | 244,741 |
| Net migration per year est. | -119,767 |
| Birth rate | 33.1 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 4.7 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 26.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 98.6 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 17.1 years |
| Life expectancy | 68.9 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 4.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 31.9% |
| Surface area 2023 | 241,550 km² |
| Population density | 220 per km² |
| Capital | Kampala |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $61.99B |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $1,206 |
| Income group World Bank | Low income |
Uganda population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 53,160,501 | – | – |
| 2025 | 51,384,894 | +1,369,802 | +2.7% |
| 2024 | 50,015,092 | +1,358,491 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | 48,656,601 | +1,343,882 | +2.8% |
| 2022 | 47,312,719 | +1,401,789 | +3.1% |
| 2021 | 45,910,930 | +1,453,778 | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 44,457,152 | +6,925,706 | +3.4% |
| 2015 | 37,531,446 | +5,140,644 | +3% |
| 2010 | 32,390,802 | +4,427,513 | +3% |
| 2005 | 27,963,289 | +3,963,139 | +3.1% |
| 2000 | 24,000,150 | +3,334,483 | +3% |
| 1995 | 20,665,667 | +3,095,770 | +3.3% |
| 1990 | 17,569,897 | +2,546,216 | +3.2% |
| 1985 | 15,023,681 | +1,747,940 | +2.5% |
| 1980 | 13,275,741 | +1,550,501 | +2.5% |
| 1975 | 11,725,240 | +1,403,637 | +2.6% |
| 1970 | 10,321,603 | +1,472,400 | +3.1% |
| 1965 | 8,849,203 | +1,208,230 | +3% |
| 1960 | 7,640,973 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Uganda
Population over time
- From 7,640,973 in 1960 to 53,160,501 today — up 595.7%.
- The population is at its all-time high right now.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +3.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 68.5 years (2024), up 22.9 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 4.2 births per woman (2024) — above the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 34.4 births vs 4.8 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 29.7 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 43.1% of the population is under 15 and 2.2% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 2.1% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 8.25 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions are at or near their historical peak.
- Per person: 0.17 t in 2024, vs 0.09 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 497.4 kg of oil equivalent per person (2023), up 23.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 90.9% of final energy in 2022 (-5.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 11% of land area (2023).
- Net deforestation: cover fell from 17.9% to 11% since 1990 — roughly 16,552 km² of forest lost.
Urban population (% of total)
- 31.9% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 4.4% in 1960 (+27.6 points).
- Still majority-rural — less than half the population lives in cities.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low — freshwater withdrawals are 1.6% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 824 m³ in 2022, down 83.4% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $61.99B in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 91.4% since 2015.
- That works out to $1,206 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 2.7% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 3.6% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 8.9% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 83.2 per 100 people (2024).
Uganda in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Uganda in 2026?
As of October 2026, Uganda has an estimated population of 53,160,501. The United Nations estimated 52,072,508 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +2.6% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Uganda growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +2.6% per year — roughly 3,735 more people every day. Each year there are about 1,723,600 births and 244,741 deaths, with net migration of -119,767.
What is the population density of Uganda?
About 220 people per square kilometre: 53,160,501 people living on 241,550 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Uganda?
The median age is 17.1 years, and life expectancy at birth is 68.9 years. 43.1% of the population is under 15 and 2.2% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Uganda rank by population?
Uganda is the 30th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 9th in Africa, with 0.6% of the global population.
How has the population of Uganda changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 7,640,973; by 2025 it had grown to 51,384,894 (+572.5%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
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MyanmarSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+2.6%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.