Uganda Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Uganda's services employment was 27.85% in 2025, ranked 11th globally. This represents a 1.8% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Uganda's services employment stood at 27.85% in 2025, a rise of +0.49% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 28.22% by 2026. Uganda ranked 11th globally.
Uganda’s share of the labour force employed in services rose from 18.27 percent in 1991, the all‑time trough, to a peak of 30.89 percent in 2019 before settling at 27.85 percent in 2025, ranking eleventh globally. The 12‑point increase over three decades reflects structural shifts as urbanisation, investment in telecommunications and expansion of tourism and financial services have drawn workers from agriculture to higher‑value activities. The 2025 figure remains slightly below peers such as Mali (28.40 percent) and Guinea‑Bissau (29.21 percent) while exceeding Tanzania (27.32 percent) and Malawi (27.68 percent), indicating Uganda’s services sector is competitive within the region but still has room for growth. Continued infrastructure development, digital inclusion policies and diversification of export services could sustain the upward trajectory, potentially pushing the employment share beyond the 2019 peak in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 29.05% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 28.63% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 28.22% | - | - |
| 2025 | 27.85% | +0.49% | #11 |
| 2024 | 27.36% | +0.44% | #10 |
| 2023 | 26.92% | +0.43% | #10 |
| 2022 | 26.50% | +0.30% | #10 |
| 2021 | 26.20% | −1.68% | #11 |
| 2020 | 27.88% | −3.01% | #13 |
| 2019 | 30.89% | +4.89% | #13 |
| 2018 | 26.00% | +4.31% | #9 |
| 2017 | 21.69% | +0.12% | #7 |
| 2016 | 21.57% | +0.14% | #7 |
| 2015 | 21.43% | +0.15% | #8 |
| 2014 | 21.28% | +1.73% | #8 |
| 2013 | 19.55% | −4.44% | #7 |
| 2012 | 23.99% | +0.30% | #9 |
| 2011 | 23.70% | −1.55% | #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 services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's services employment was 27.85% in 2025. Ranked 11th globally. This represents a 1.8% increase from the previous year.
Uganda's services employment peaked at 30.89% in 2019.
The lowest services employment in Uganda was 18.27% in 1991.
Uganda ranks 11th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Uganda's services employment is projected to reach 28.22% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Uganda in 2025 was 27.85%. This ranks 11th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_services-employment,
title = {Uganda Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}