Simone Lawson
Uganda has the youngest population in the world, with 77% of its population under 25 years old. While there is no universally agreed-upon definition of youth, Uganda's 1995 Constitution defines it as anyone between the ages of 18 and 35. This definition is used for statistical purposes and is important in the country's political landscape, as the constitution guarantees Ugandan youth the right to participate in political affairs and peaceful demonstrations.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Age range | 18-35 |
| Proportion of the population | 23% |
| Political rights | Right to participate in political affairs and freedom to gather and demonstrate peacefully |
| Literacy rate (2005-2010) | 90% for males, 85% for females |
| Unemployment rate (ages 15-24) | 83% |
| Population (ages 15-24) | 7,310,386 |
| Male-to-female ratio | 100.2 males per 100 females |
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What You'll Learn
- The 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda defines a youth as someone between 18 and 35
- Uganda's youth population is the youngest in the world, with 77% under 25
- The National Youth Council Act defines youth as 18-30, but the revised policy uses 15-30
- UNICEF defines youth as 15-24, while the UN says 15-29
- Youth unemployment is high, with 83% of 15-24-year-olds out of work
The 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda defines a youth as someone between 18 and 35
Uganda has the youngest population in the world, with 77% of its population under 25 years old. While there is no universally agreed international definition of the term "youth", Uganda's 1995 Constitution of the Republic of Uganda defines a youth as someone between the ages of 18 and 35. This means that about 23% of Uganda's total population falls into this category.
Uganda uses two different categorizations for youths. The National Youth Council Act classifies youths as those aged 18-30, while the revised National Youth Policy uses 15-30. The Commonwealth identifies young people aged 15-29 as youths, while the East African Community (EAC) and the African Union Youth Charter define youths as those between 15 and 35.
The United Nations defines 'youths' as those between the ages of 15 and 24, without prejudice to any other definitions made by member states. This definition is often used for statistical purposes and was first referred to by the UN Secretary-General in 1981 in his report to the General Assembly on International Youth Day.
Uganda's Constitution guarantees each citizen "the right to participate in the political affairs of the government, individually or through representatives in accordance with the law". It also warrants the "freedom to gather and demonstrate together with others peacefully and unarmed". Despite the existence of the Constitution, civil and political rights issues are often determined by those in power, and the Constitution is sometimes altered to favour their interests.
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Uganda's youth population is the youngest in the world, with 77% under 25
Uganda has the youngest population in the world, with 77% of its population under 25 years old. There are 7,310,386 young people aged between 15 and 24 living in Uganda. UNICEF defines youth as those between 15 and 24 years old, while the youth policy in Uganda defines youth as all young persons aged 12 to 30.
Uganda's youth experience different lifestyles depending on whether they live in rural or urban areas. Many young people migrate from rural to urban areas due to factors such as kinship and friendship ties, rural incomes, the role of rural education, and the rural social system. The male-to-female ratio among Ugandan youth is 100.2 males per 100 females. Life expectancy at birth is 42.59 years for males and 44.49 years for females.
Education and employment are critical issues for Uganda's youth. According to a 2014 UNFPA report, 78% of young people aged 13–18 are currently attending school, while 10% of those aged 6–12 have never been to school. The report also highlights that 22% of adolescents aged 13–18 have dropped out of school, resulting in 8.8 million young people aged 15–24 who are not engaged in education, employment, or training. The youth unemployment rate in Uganda is high, standing at 83% for those aged 15–24. This rate is even higher for those with formal degrees living in urban areas due to a disconnect between degrees obtained and the vocational skills demanded by the job market. The unemployment rate is also impacted by factors such as a lack of resources and negative views towards certain jobs.
Informal sector work accounts for the majority of young workers in Uganda, with 90.9% engaged in informal employment. The agricultural sector employs the highest number of youth, followed by trade, manufacturing, and the transport sector. Youth literacy rates between 2005 and 2010 were 90% for males and 85% for females, and university enrollment in 1998 stood at 34,773 students, an increase from 17,585 in 1991.
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The National Youth Council Act defines youth as 18-30, but the revised policy uses 15-30
Uganda has the youngest population globally, with over 75% of its total population under 30. The definition of "youth" varies across different organisations and contexts. While there is no universally agreed-upon international definition of "youth", Uganda's 1995 Constitution defines youth as individuals between the ages of 18 and 35. This definition is specifically referenced in the article by Magelah and Ntabirweki (2014), which examines the topic of youth unemployment in the country.
However, the National Youth Council Act, a piece of Ugandan legislation, defines youth as those aged 18 to 30. This definition is used in the context of the National Youth Council elections and political party elections, which has led to debates and confusion around the age bracket for youth. As a result, some individuals end up changing their age to meet the eligibility requirements for these elections.
The revised National Youth Policy in Uganda adopts a broader definition, classifying youth as individuals aged 15 to 30. This expanded age range aligns with the definitions used by other entities, such as the Commonwealth (15-29), the East African Community (15-35), and the African Union Youth Charter (15-35). These definitions are not static and can change according to demographic, financial, economic, and socio-cultural factors.
UNICEF generally defines youth as those aged 15 to 24, which is also the statistical definition used by the United Nations. This narrower age range is useful for assessing the needs of young people and providing guidelines, as it captures a critical period of transition from adolescence to adulthood. However, it's important to recognise that definitions of "youth" can vary based on cultural, social, and economic contexts, and different organisations may adopt slightly different age ranges to suit their specific purposes.
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UNICEF defines youth as 15-24, while the UN says 15-29
While there is no internationally agreed-upon definition of the "youth" age group, UNICEF and the United Nations (UN) have both provided definitions that are widely used for statistical purposes. UNICEF defines youth as individuals aged 15 to 24, while the UN defines youth as those aged 15 to 24 as well, but also includes individuals up to age 29.
The UNICEF definition of youth as 15-24 years old is in line with the sociological understanding of youth as an intermediary phase between childhood and adulthood. This definition is also reflected in the UN's statistical definition, which was established during the preparations for the International Youth Year (1985) and endorsed by the UN General Assembly in its resolution 36/28 of 1981. All UN statistics on youth are based on this definition and are published in annual yearbooks covering various aspects such as demography, education, employment, and health.
The UN's definition of youth as 15-24 years old is further supported by demographic data. Approximately one billion youth, or 16% of the global population, are between the ages of 15 and 24. This demographic group represents a significant portion of the world's population and is particularly prominent in certain regions, such as Africa, where the youth population has continued to grow as a proportion of the total population.
However, it is important to acknowledge that the definition of youth can vary depending on cultural, social, and legal contexts. For example, in Uganda, a youth policy defines youth as all young persons, male and female, aged 12 to 30 years. This expanded age range captures a broader segment of the population and may be more applicable in the local context. Nonetheless, the UNICEF and UN definitions provide a standardized reference point for global comparisons and statistical analysis.
The varying definitions of youth by UNICEF and the UN highlight the need for flexibility and cultural sensitivity when addressing issues pertaining to this demographic group. While the 15-24 age range serves as a widely accepted benchmark, recognizing the potential for variation allows for more inclusive policies and programs that cater to the diverse needs and challenges faced by young people worldwide. Ultimately, the definition of youth should be guided by the specific context and objectives of the discussion or intervention.
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Youth unemployment is high, with 83% of 15-24-year-olds out of work
Uganda has the youngest population in the world, with 77% of its population under 25 years of age. Youth unemployment is a pressing issue in the country, with a rate of 83% among 15-24-year-olds. This high unemployment rate is attributed to various factors, including a mismatch between the skills acquired through the education system and the demands of the labour market.
The unemployment challenge is more pronounced for those with formal degrees living in urban areas. This is due to a disconnect between their field of study and the vocational skills required for in-demand jobs. Those without degrees face similar challenges, as they lack the necessary skills or resources, such as land or capital, to secure employment. Additionally, some youth hold negative views about certain jobs and are unwilling to accept those positions if offered.
The majority of young workers in Uganda are engaged in the informal sector, with 90.9% in informal employment, 3.2% in waged employment, and 5.8% self-employed. The agricultural sector employs the highest number of youth, followed by trade, manufacturing, and transport.
To address youth unemployment, Uganda has implemented several programs and initiatives, including the Uganda Youth Livelihood Program and the Uganda Women Empowerment Program. These programs focus on job matching, skill development, and providing seed capital to create employment opportunities and generate income for young people. Despite these efforts, youth unemployment remains a significant challenge, with a decline to 4.5% in 2023, indicating a persistent issue that requires further attention and effective policy interventions.
While the youth unemployment rate is high, it is important to note that the definition of "youth" in Uganda is broad, with the youth policy defining youth as all young persons aged 12 to 30 years old. This broad definition encompasses a large portion of the population and contributes to the perception of high youth unemployment rates.
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Frequently asked questions
According to the 1995 Constitution of Uganda, a youth is defined as a person between the ages of 18 and 35.
Uganda uses two main categorisations for youths. The National Youth Council Act defines youths as those aged 18-30, while the revised National Youth Policy defines youths as those aged 15-30.
The definition of a youth is important in the context of elections and political party membership, as well as for statistical purposes when assessing the needs of young people and providing guidelines.
The United Nations defines youths as those aged 15-24, while the East African Community defines youths as those aged 15-35. There is no universally agreed international definition of youth.
