Uganda: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Uganda — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
42,723,139
#33 of 197 countries
Area
241,038 km²
#81 of 248 countries
Density
177.2 / km²
#75 of 245 countries

Uganda has a population of 42,723,139 spread across 241,038 km², giving it an average density of 177.2 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Population Density Map

Population density map of Uganda
< 5 25–100 500–1k 2.5k–5k > 10k / km²

Most Populous Cities

Kampala
1,680,600
4607 / km²
Nansana
532,800
15037 / km²
Kira Town
462,900
4336 / km²
Bunamwaya
413,400
8317 / km²
Kyengera
285,400
6565 / km²
Mbarara
221,300
2824 / km²
Kasangati
207,800
5724 / km²
Njeru
178,800
3695 / km²
Gulu
177,400
8646 / km²
Katabi
154,300
2554 / km²

Demographics

Median Age
16.4
Life Expectancy
69.7 yrs
Literacy Rate
69.1%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Uganda is classified as a low income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 32% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Low income
GDP per Capita
$1,002
Cost of Living
32% of US
Inflation
5.4%
Inequality
42.7
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$2,900
Unemployment
3.0%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 9.2% of Uganda's total exports, making it a significant contributor to the economy with solid visitor infrastructure.

Tourism Revenue
$518,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
9.2%
Air Passengers
21,650
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Uganda has 0.19 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.19/1k
Hospital Beds
0.5/1k
Health Spend
$45/person
Infant Mortality
27.6/1k
Immunization
90%
Safe Drinking Water
63.0%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
23.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Uganda, 15% of the population uses the internet — connectivity can be limited outside major cities, so download offline maps and content before heading to rural areas. There are 76 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
15.3%
Mobile Subs
76/100
Broadband
0.1/100
Electricity Access
51.5%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data