Uganda Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Uganda's industry employment was 7.30% in 2025, ranked 6th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Uganda's industry employment stood at 7.30% in 2025, a rise of +0.07% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 7.31% by 2026. Uganda ranked 6th globally.
Uganda’s share of its labour force employed in industry has fallen sharply since the early 1990s, when the sector employed 19.35 % of workers, the highest level recorded in the 35‑year series. The decline accelerated after 2014, the year of the all‑time trough at 6.79 %, and by 2025 industry employment stood at 7.30 %, ranking sixth globally. This figure is marginally higher than Angola’s 7.20 % and Malawi’s 7.34 % but below Djibouti’s 6.68 % and Lao PDR’s 7.41 %, indicating Uganda remains among the most industrially dependent economies in sub‑Saharan Africa despite the long‑term contraction. The persistent drop reflects limited manufacturing expansion, modest infrastructure investment and a labour market that continues to shift toward agriculture and services. If policy reforms succeed in attracting foreign direct investment, improving electricity reliability and fostering skills development, the downward trajectory could be halted and modest growth in industrial employment may resume.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 7.39% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 7.35% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 7.31% | - | - |
| 2025 | 7.30% | +0.07% | #6 |
| 2024 | 7.23% | +0.04% | #6 |
| 2023 | 7.18% | +0.03% | #7 |
| 2022 | 7.15% | +0.01% | #7 |
| 2021 | 7.14% | −0.23% | #7 |
| 2020 | 7.37% | −0.38% | #7 |
| 2019 | 7.75% | +0.51% | #9 |
| 2018 | 7.24% | +0.42% | #7 |
| 2017 | 6.82% | +0.01% | #5 |
| 2016 | 6.80% | −0.01% | #6 |
| 2015 | 6.81% | +0.03% | #6 |
| 2014 | 6.79% | −2.98% | #7 |
| 2013 | 9.77% | −1.25% | #21 |
| 2012 | 11.01% | −0.01% | #26 |
| 2011 | 11.03% | −1.76% | #27 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's industry employment was 7.30% in 2025. Ranked 6th globally. This represents a 1.0% increase from the previous year.
Uganda's industry employment peaked at 19.35% in 1991.
The lowest industry employment in Uganda was 6.79% in 2014.
Uganda ranks 6th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uganda's industry employment is projected to reach 7.31% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Uganda in 2025 was 7.30%. This ranks 6th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_industry-employment,
title = {Uganda Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}