Population Case Study - Youthful Population in Uganda

Population Case Study - Youthful Population in Uganda

1. General Information

   • 50% of Uganda's population is under 15 years old
     • The dependency ratio has increased significantly over the years: 100 in 1969 to 122 in 1995
       • Very high fertility rate and a very low contraceptive prevalence rate
   • The country has a high prevalence of AIDS
     • This results in excess mortality and lower life expectancy rates than otherwise would be expected
   • The high fertility rate and youthful age structure has resulted in the build up of a population momentum
     • Even if fertility were to drop drastically to replacement levels, the population of Uganda would still continue to grow for 40-50 years
       • This has far reaching implications for the development of the individual within the family and the nation as a whole, particularly because of its low level of development and technology

2. Impacts - Social

   • Family Welfare
     • Health of mothers and children is adversely affected by high fertility
     • Early child bearing
       • Teenage pregnancies increases the number of young mothers who lack material resources to support their children
         • Can affect the initial development and growth of their children
       • Encourages school drop outs
         • Acts as a barrier to the advancement of women and their future independence
       • Exposure to AIDS is increased
   • Increased demand for health services
     • Because of high fertility
     • The health infrastructure can't cope with this so there is an uneven distribution and poor access to facilities and low per capita expenditure
   • Demand for social security
     • The proportion of elderly is fairly low
       • However, the youthful population and their problems (unemployment and general poverty) result in high dependency
         • No comprehensive social security policy and the individual household has to become responsible

3. Impacts - Environmental

   • The high population growth is resulting in degradation of the environment
   • The increasing land fragmentation and decrease in soil fertility is causing crop yields to fall
   • The increasing use of marginal lands which can't support agriculture sustainability
   • The depletion of wetlands to expand agricultural lands and forest depletion to gain land use firewood for fuel

4. Impacts - Economic

   • Increased demand for education services
     • The government wanted to achieve universal primary education by 2003 but the high birth rate hindered this
       • The population of primary school age is expected to grow from 3.3 million (1991) to 7.2 million by 2021
         • Much larger expenditures will be needed to pay for an increasing number of teachers, classrooms, materials and equipment
   • Labour force and employment
     • The youthful population accounts for a substantial expansion of the labour force which is mainly agriculture and the informal sector
       • The potential labour force is expected to double between 1991-2021 to reach 16.8 million
     • There are very few employment opportunities in the formal sector and this limits the growth of the economy; problems of unemployment, underemployment, rural-urban migration and crime
   • Urbanisation and Housing
     • The provision of adequate housing and social amenities is not keeping pace with the increasing population
       • Outcomes include over crowding, growth of slums and deterioration
       • Very low numbers have access to electricity and safe drinking water and pit latrines are the dominant form of toilet facility