Uganda Unemployment Rate
Unemployment as % of total labor force SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS
Uganda's unemployment rate was 2.75% in 2025, ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Uganda's unemployment rate stood at 2.75% in 2025, a rise of +0.01pp from 2024. Uganda ranked 31st globally.
Uganda’s unemployment rate has hovered at a historically low level, registering 2.75 % in 2025, which places the country 31st globally according to World Bank data. Over the 35‑year series, the rate fell from a 1991 high of 3.45 % to its all‑time trough of 1.90 % in 2005, before climbing to a peak of 3.82 % in 2020 amid pandemic‑related disruptions. The current figure is comparable to peer economies such as Senegal (2.73 %) and Korea (2.68 %), suggesting that Uganda’s labour market performance is broadly aligned with other low‑unemployment contexts. The modest rise since the 2005 trough reflects structural shifts in agriculture and informal sector dynamics, yet the rate remains well below the regional average. Continued investment in skills development and formal job creation will be crucial to sustain the low unemployment trajectory and prevent a reversal toward the 2020 peak.
Data & projection
| Year | Unemployment Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 2.75% | +0.01pp | #31 |
| 2024 | 2.74% | −0.01pp | #33 |
| 2023 | 2.75% | −0.13pp | #31 |
| 2022 | 2.89% | −0.53pp | #34 |
| 2021 | 3.42% | −0.40pp | #34 |
| 2020 | 3.82% | +0.76pp | #39 |
| 2019 | 3.06% | −0.19pp | #36 |
| 2018 | 3.25% | −0.18pp | #39 |
| 2017 | 3.43% | +0.43pp | #43 |
| 2016 | 3.00% | +0.32pp | #32 |
| 2015 | 2.68% | +0.32pp | #29 |
| 2014 | 2.36% | +0.45pp | #24 |
| 2013 | 1.91% | −1.64pp | #17 |
| 2012 | 3.55% | +0.03pp | #42 |
| 2011 | 3.52% | −0.10pp | #43 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Uganda matched the Orthodox Tightening Cycle pattern in 2011. Historically, 57% of countries showing this pattern (177 out of 311) saw unemployment rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Uganda's unemployment rate was 2.75% in 2025. Ranked 31st globally. This represents a 0.2% increase from the previous year.
Uganda's unemployment rate peaked at 3.82% in 2020.
The lowest unemployment rate in Uganda was 1.90% in 2005.
Uganda ranks 31st globally in unemployment rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.TOTL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
The unemployment rate of Uganda in 2025 was 2.75%. This ranks 31st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_uganda_unemployment-rate,
title = {Uganda Unemployment Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/uganda/unemployment-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}