Uganda has one of the highest rates of natural increase (RNI) in population growth in the world, with an RNI of approximately 3.0% per year as of the early 2020s. This high RNI is primarily driven by a high birth rate and a relatively low death rate, resulting in rapid population growth. In comparison, Uganda's neighbors such as Kenya and Tanzania have slightly lower RNIs, around 2.0% to 2.5%, reflecting somewhat lower fertility rates and improving health conditions. Rwanda and South Sudan also have high RNIs, but Uganda's remains among the highest in the region. The differences in RNI among these countries are influenced by varying levels of access to healthcare, family planning services, education, and economic opportunities. While all these East African nations experience youthful populations and significant population growth, Uganda's particularly high RNI poses both opportunities and challenges for development, resource management, and social services compared to its neighbors.
| Year | Rate of Natural Increase | Population |
|---|---|---|
| 1970 | 3.017 | 9,721,318 |
| 1975 | 2.607 | 10,805,057 |
| 1980 | 2.98 | 12,106,227 |
| 1985 | 3.282 | 13,930,262 |
| 1990 | 3.472 | 16,732,373 |
| 1995 | 3.475 | 19,822,690 |
| 2000 | 3.518 | 23,192,143 |
| 2005 | 3.799 | 27,031,475 |
| 2010 | 3.648 | 31,002,201 |
| 2015 | 3.808 | 36,111,900 |
| 2020 | 3.692 | 43,249,944 |
| 2024 | 3.486 | 49,283,041 |
| 2025 | 3.43 | 50,863,850 |
| 2026 | 3.375 | 52,470,987 |
| 2030 | 3.145 | 59,136,233 |
| 2035 | 2.892 | 67,953,747 |
| 2040 | 2.663 | 77,275,388 |
| 2045 | 2.442 | 87,001,576 |
| 2050 | 2.221 | 96,972,729 |
| 2055 | 2.096 | 107,247,846 |
| 2060 | 1.938 | 117,847,348 |
| 2065 | 1.764 | 128,491,684 |
| 2070 | 1.586 | 138,929,905 |
| 2075 | 1.412 | 148,956,622 |
| 2080 | 1.243 | 158,398,034 |
| 2085 | 1.076 | 167,081,014 |
| 2090 | 0.908 | 174,811,041 |
| 2095 | 0.732 | 181,364,074 |
| 2100 | 0.551 | 186,514,755 |
Data from US Census International Database