Youth Monograph
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GOVERNMENT OF UGANDA YOUNG PEOPLE: THE UNTAPPED RESOURCE FOR DEVELOPMENT Thematic Series Based on the National Population and Housing Census 2014 Uganda Bureau of Statistics Kampala, Uganda November 2017 FOREWORD The utility of statistics for policy formulation, decision-making, monitoring and evaluation of socio-economic development programmes and projects has long been recognised in Uganda. There is also increase in the demand for statistics in the country, including indicators to inform progress in National and International agenda like the National Development Plan II (NDP II), Agenda 2063 among others. To respond to this demand, the Bureau has over the years developed systems to facilitate the production of statistics through the conduct of censuses, surveys and compilation of data from administrative sources. As the coordinator of the National Statistics System, the Bureau has also together with its stakeholders in the National Statistical System (NSS) developed a National Standard Indicators (NSI) Framework that contain a list of indicators that will be closely produced over time. The 2014 Population and Housing Census was the fifth census to be undertaken in Uganda since independence in 1962. The broad objective of the 2014 National Population and Housing Census (NPHC) was to ensure the availability of demographic, housing and socio-economic bench-mark data at the national and sub-national levels for planning. Beyond providing benchmark data for planning, detailed analysis of the census will enhance understanding of the effectiveness of the various interventions initiated by Government and its partners in improving the lives of Ugandans. To facilitate analysis in the report the districts have been grouped into 15 sub-regions with similar characteristics. The sub-regions are Kampala, Central1, Central2, Bukedi, Busoga, Elgon, Teso, Karamoja, West Nile, Lango, Acholi, Ankole, Kigezi, Bunyoro and Toro. An attempt has also been made to present the patterns of the findings by background characteristics including by rural/urban residence, the 15 sub-regions, sex, and wealth status among others. When presenting the household characteristics the differentials were presented by selected socio-economic characteristics and the sex of the head. In showing the spatial patterns and differentials, information is presented by the Uganda’s 122 Districts as at 1st July 2017. Comparison with the results from the earlier censuses, some trend analysis has been undertaken in the report contrasting the 2014 Census indicators with those released under previous censuses. However, with the ever changing rate of the administrative set up of the country, it was not possible to make this comparison below District level. In order to support the planning process, the results from the Census 2014 are being released in phases as and when they become available. The Provisional Results Report was released in November, 2014 followed by the Final Results Report which was released in March 2016. The Sub-County Reports were Young People: The Untapped Resource for Development i releases in June 2016 and the Area Specific Profile Series in July 2017. These reports collectively provided information on the characteristics of the population and households at the national and sub- county levels. In addition to this Report on Yong People, the sister Thematic Reports and the other reports mentioned above that have already been published, the Bureau will be producing the following: (i) The Census Administrative Report (ii) Census Atlas (iii) Post Enumeration Survey Report UBOS wishes to express its gratitude to all stakeholders and Development Partners (UK AID, UNFPA, UNICEF. The value of statistics is appreciated on its use, the Bureau, therefore appeals to all stakeholders to use the information contained in this and other census reports to inform policy and decision making so as to benefit the whole public. Together We Count Ben Paul Mungyereza EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR Young People: The Untapped Resource for Development ii PREFACE Uganda aspires to reach upper-middle income status by 2040, with an expectation of improving the wellbeing of its citizens and a per capita income of USD 9,500. Studies have shown that for this to happen, investments must be made to improve the wellbeing and the productivity of Uganda’s adolescents and youth who comprise of Uganda’s biggest population. According to the 2014 Census, 78 percent of Uganda’s population are below 30 years. However, this monograph indicates that for many adolescents and youth in Uganda, their potential to lead economic and social change has not been realised. According to this report, the working population of adolescents and youth below 30 years is below 65 percent for those in rural areas. Therefore, investments in creation of jobs and improved opportunities for entrepreneurship and profitable self-employment for the rapidly expanding youth labour force is critical for Uganda’s desire of becoming a middle income country. Over 75 percent of Uganda’s youth are engaged in vulnerable work, often characterised by inadequate earnings, low productivity and difficult conditions of work that undermine workers’ fundamental rights. It is therefore important that Government of Uganda puts in place initiatives to address such vulnerabilities in order to realise the full potential of young people. Uganda’s labour force must be well educated and endowed with high quality skills that will make the country competitive in the global market. In order to achieve this, investments must be made in improving school completion and transition rates for girls and boys across all educational levels as these are indicated in this report as existing gaps in education. Furthermore, the report does point to the fact that young girls in Uganda become mothers too early which interrupts their education and future prospects. Therefore, investment in adolescent girls will prove particularly beneficial to Uganda, as it is associated with reduction in school dropout, child marriage, teenage pregnancy and improved sexual and reproductive health. Girls with access to and control over economic resources are more likely to invest in their families. It is my hope therefore, that the data in this report will be used by all sectors in Uganda to guide decision making and policy advancement for improving the wellbeing and productivity of Uganda’s youthful population. Alain SIBENALER Representative United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Uganda Young People: The Untapped Resource for Development iii TABLE OF CONTENTS FOREWORD .................................................................................................................................. i PREFACE..................................................................................................................................... iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ............................................................................................................... iv List of Tables ............................................................................................................................... vi Acronyms .................................................................................................................................. viii INTRODUCTION ........................................................................................................................... 1 1.1. Overview ............................................................................................................................ 1 1.2. About the National Population and Housing Census 2014 .................................................. 2 POPULATION SIZE, AGE AND SEX STRUCTURE AMONG YOUNG PEOPLE .......................... 5 2.1. Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 5 2.2. Size and distribution of the adolescents, and youth population ........................................... 5 2.3. Gender Distribution of young people, by age group ............................................................ 6 2.3.1. Sex composition of young people ............................................................................. 7 2.4. Distribution of the adolescents and youth population .......................................................... 9 2.5. Migration of the adolescents and youth ............................................................................ 11 SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG PERSONS .............................................................. 12 3.1. Adolescent and youth-headed households ....................................................................... 12 3.1.1. Household size of young household heads ............................................................. 13 3.2. Marital status of young people .......................................................................................... 14 3.2.1. Married adolescents, youths and young people by place of residence, age and sex14 3.3. Young people 10-30 years by religious affiliation .............................................................. 17 3.4. Young people aged 10-30 by Ethnic Composition ............................................................ 18 FERTILITY AND REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH OF YOUNG PEOPLE ........................................... 19 4.1. Adolescent fertility rate (number of births per 1,000 women aged 15-19 years) ................ 19 4.2. Female population aged 13-19 years who have ever given birth .....................................