Uganda has successfully completed its 11th national census, marking a significant milestone as the first digital census in the country’s history. This extensive exercise, regarded as the main source of demographic and socio-economic data, is crucial for planning and evidence-based decision-making.
The census involved the collection of demographic and socio-economic data from households, institutions, and communities. Using the longest household and community questionnaire to date, the census aimed to gather comprehensive information as demanded by various stakeholders. This digital approach allowed for more efficient data collection and processing.
The census operation was supported by a substantial field workforce, including 135,230 field workers, 115,846 enumerators, 14,669 enumeration supervisors, and 4,715 sub-county/division supervisors.
The census revealed that Uganda’s population has grown to 45.9 million, an increase of 11.3 million from the 34.6 million recorded in 2014. The number of households in 2024 is 10,845,119, with an average household size of 4.4 members. Additionally, the census recorded 708,000 refugees, with females making up 51% of the total population.
Uganda remains a youthful country, with children (0-17 years) comprising 50.5% of the population, youth (18-30 years) at 22.7%, older persons (60+) at 5.0%, and the working age population (14-64 years) at 55.6%.
Buganda, the most populous region, has a population of 11.1 million. This census provides vital insights into the demographic and socio-economic fabric of Uganda, guiding future policy and development initiatives. The successful implementation of the first digital census sets a precedent for more efficient data collection in the future.
