Uganda Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Uganda's labor force participation was 80.03% in 2025, ranked 8th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Uganda's labor force participation stood at 80.03% in 2025, a rise of +0.06pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 80.29% by 2026. Uganda ranked 8th globally.
Uganda’s labor force participation rate has risen steadily since the earliest World Bank observation in 1990 (73.29%), reaching an all‑time peak of 84.52% in 2013 before a brief dip to a trough of 69.92% in 2012, and standing at 80.03% in 2025, which places the country eighth globally. This upward trajectory reflects expanding formal employment opportunities and demographic shifts toward a younger, working‑age population, while the 2012 trough coincided with a period of heightened inflation and agricultural stress that temporarily reduced labor market entry. Compared with peers, Uganda’s participation rate exceeds Mozambique’s 78.71% and approaches the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s 82.15%, suggesting relatively higher engagement despite differing economic structures. The 36‑year coverage shows a net gain of nearly seven percentage points, indicating resilience amid macro‑economic fluctuations. Continued investment in skills development and diversification away from subsistence agriculture could sustain the current upward momentum and push participation beyond the 2025 level.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 80.56% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 80.42% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 80.29% | - | - |
| 2025 | 80.03% | +0.06pp | #8 |
| 2024 | 79.97% | −0.03pp | #8 |
| 2023 | 80.00% | −0.03pp | #8 |
| 2022 | 80.03% | +0.73pp | #8 |
| 2021 | 79.30% | +1.29pp | #8 |
| 2020 | 78.01% | +0.77pp | #11 |
| 2019 | 77.24% | +2.45pp | #14 |
| 2018 | 74.79% | +3.04pp | #18 |
| 2017 | 71.76% | −2.02pp | #26 |
| 2016 | 73.78% | −1.81pp | #22 |
| 2015 | 75.58% | −1.62pp | #18 |
| 2014 | 77.21% | −7.32pp | #14 |
| 2013 | 84.52% | +14.61pp | #4 |
| 2012 | 69.92% | −10.24pp | #35 |
| 2011 | 80.16% | +6.81pp | #9 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's labor force participation was 80.03% in 2025. Ranked 8th globally. This represents a 0.1% increase from the previous year.
Uganda's labor force participation peaked at 84.52% in 2013.
The lowest labor force participation in Uganda was 69.92% in 2012.
Uganda ranks 8th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uganda's labor force participation is projected to reach 80.29% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Uganda in 2025 was 80.03%. This ranks 8th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_labor-force-participation,
title = {Uganda Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}