Photo: Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia · CC BY-SA 2.0 · via Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale
Topic 03 of 18 · Country Index 2026
Uganda: Work & Labour
Can people find work, and on what terms?
Uganda is placed joint 83rd of 182 countries on work & labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics. Readings behind it: Employment-to-Population Ratio 77.83 (2025); Labour Income Share 37.57 (2025).
Share
Work & Labour
joint83rd
of 182 countries placed
Placed from 4 of 4 key statistics
01The evidence
The 4 key statistics that decide it
Only these place Uganda on work & labour — one vote each. Every value is the publisher’s own, read at the edition the Country Index 2026 used; the grey ticks are every other country it was compared with, lowest on the left.
Key 1 of 4
Employment-to-Population Ratio
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
77.83
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)
Higher is better
Uganda: 77.83. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 21.21 (São Tomé and Príncipe) to 86.9 (Qatar); the world median is 57.72.
- World median
- 57.72
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 82.89 Madagascar
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 61.45 · Kenya 63.71 · Rwanda 56.45 · Tanzania 82.4
Key 3 of 4
Unemployment Rate
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
2.746
Unemployment (% of labour force)
Lower is better
Uganda: 2.746. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.13 (Qatar) to 34.2 (Eswatini); the world median is 5.084.
- World median
- 5.084
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 0.922 Burundi
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 4.434 · Kenya 5.449 · Rwanda 11.36 · Tanzania 1.572
Key 4 of 4
Vulnerable Employment
International Labour Organization (ILO)
2025 edition · data for 2025 · CC BY 4.0
74.39
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)
Lower is better
Uganda: 74.39. Across the 182 countries in this edition, values run from 0.456 (Qatar) to 90.22 (Chad); the world median is 28.67.
- World median
- 28.67
- Best in Eastern Africa
- 14.88 Mauritius
- Land neighbours
- DR Congo 81.51 · Kenya 63.83 · Rwanda 39.36 · Tanzania 83.65
02Over time
Which way Uganda is moving
Each key’s published value, edition by edition, beside the world median. The Country Index 2026 is the first edition of the standing, so the standing itself has no history to chart yet.
Employment-to-Population Ratio
Employed share of the population aged 15+ (%) · higher is better
UgandaWorld median
Uganda rose from 71.67 in 2000 to 77.83 in 2025; the world median went from 55.86 to 57.72.
Every year’s figures
Year Uganda World median 2025 77.83 57.720 2024 77.78 57.694 2023 77.80 58.158 2022 77.72 57.688 2021 76.59 56.066 2020 75.03 55.691 2019 74.88 57.871 2018 72.36 56.911 2017 69.30 56.738 2016 71.56 56.845 2015 73.56 56.788 2014 75.39 56.774 2013 82.91 56.229 2012 67.44 56.289 2011 77.33 56.297 2010 70.69 56.212 2009 70.86 56.255 2008 71.43 57.308 2007 71.84 56.933 2006 72.25 56.685 2005 72.62 56.129 2004 72.10 55.465 2003 71.49 55.630 2002 71.64 55.843 2001 71.69 56.018 2000 71.67 55.861 Labour Income Share
Labour income share of GDP (%) · higher is better
UgandaWorld median
Uganda rose from 37.41 in 2004 to 37.57 in 2025; the world median went from 46.01 to 46.23.
Every year’s figures
Year Uganda World median 2025 37.57 46.230 2024 37.61 46.060 2023 37.99 45.900 2022 37.67 45.615 2021 38.75 45.433 2020 38.58 47.267 2019 38.99 46.277 2018 38.45 46.187 2017 38.60 46.467 2016 38.12 46.798 2015 37.92 46.876 2014 37.85 47.281 2013 38.07 46.887 2012 37.94 46.231 2011 36.71 45.679 2010 37.57 46.024 2009 37.32 47.071 2008 36.91 45.312 2007 37.00 45.246 2006 36.48 45.670 2005 37.50 46.265 2004 37.41 46.012 Unemployment Rate
Unemployment (% of labour force) · lower is better
UgandaWorld median
Uganda fell from 3.531 in 2000 to 2.746 in 2025; the world median went from 6.918 to 5.084.
Every year’s figures
Year Uganda World median 2025 2.746 5.08 2024 2.740 5.15 2023 2.754 5.21 2022 2.885 5.34 2021 3.416 6.04 2020 3.819 6.38 2019 3.057 5.36 2018 3.249 5.35 2017 3.428 5.59 2016 3.002 5.90 2015 2.681 6.41 2014 2.357 6.58 2013 1.910 6.71 2012 3.551 6.79 2011 3.523 6.90 2010 3.623 7.04 2009 3.600 6.67 2008 3.035 5.79 2007 2.667 6.00 2006 2.264 6.50 2005 1.900 7.09 2004 2.699 6.80 2003 3.600 6.95 2002 3.500 6.91 2001 3.522 6.96 2000 3.531 6.92 Vulnerable Employment
Vulnerable employment (% of total employment) · lower is better
UgandaWorld median
Uganda fell from 79.95 in 2000 to 74.39 in 2025; the world median went from 35.67 to 28.67.
Every year’s figures
Year Uganda World median 2025 74.393 28.67 2024 74.576 29.04 2023 74.827 29.33 2022 75.035 29.67 2021 75.210 30.01 2020 75.818 30.54 2019 75.885 29.98 2018 76.191 30.15 2017 76.475 29.93 2016 76.455 29.91 2015 76.454 30.26 2014 76.562 30.47 2013 76.481 31.14 2012 76.773 31.00 2011 76.978 31.41 2010 77.278 32.37 2009 77.595 32.59 2008 77.831 31.76 2007 78.160 33.47 2006 78.488 34.27 2005 78.783 34.66 2004 79.032 35.51 2003 79.280 35.90 2002 79.511 35.96 2001 79.748 35.27 2000 79.949 35.67
03In context
Uganda beside its neighbours
A position reads best beside the countries around it. Every position below is a place among all 182 countries on work & labour, never a place within the region.
Uganda and the countries it borders
Standing among all 182; the key columns are the publishers’ own values.
| Country | Standing | Employment-to-Population RatioEmployed share of the population aged 15+ (%) | Labour Income ShareLabour income share of GDP (%) | Unemployment RateUnemployment (% of labour force) | Vulnerable EmploymentVulnerable employment (% of total employment) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Tanzania | =29th | 82.4 | 54.19 | 1.572 | 83.65 |
| Uganda | =83rd | 77.83 | 37.57 | 2.746 | 74.39 |
 DR Congo | 137th | 61.45 | 37.74 | 4.434 | 81.51 |
 Kenyacompare | 139th | 63.71 | 33.28 | 5.449 | 63.83 |
 Rwanda | =158th | 56.45 | 39.77 | 11.36 | 39.36 |
 South Sudan | not placed | — | — | — | — |
“—”: no published reading in that edition. What a standing is
Across Eastern Africa
Every country in the sub-region, by its place among all 182.
Placed either side on work & labour
The countries immediately above and below Uganda in the topic’s list.
04Context, no vote
Where Uganda is ahead of the world, and behind
25 more statistics filed under work & labour, published in full and deliberately given no vote in the standing. Select a row for the publisher, the rank and the links.
Ahead of the world median6
Statistics on which Uganda does better than the middle country measured.
Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 61.6680.0361.66▲ Improved since 2015
Uganda: 80.03 · world median 61.66 · Population aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.34 to 87.01; higher is better.
Position 8th of 182 · derived.
Female Labour Force Participation RateILO · 2025 · world median 53.3675.5953.36No real change since 2015
Uganda: 75.59 · world median 53.36 · Women aged 15+ in the labour force (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 4.663 to 82.91; higher is better.
Position 9th of 182 · derived.
Youth Unemployment RateILO · 2025 · world median 12.834.18312.83No real change since 2015
Uganda: 4.183 · world median 12.83 · Unemployment, ages 15-24 (% of youth labour force). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.457 to 76.77; lower is better.
Position 162nd of 182 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms with a Female Top ManagerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 19.1622.6119.16No earlier reading
Uganda: 22.61 · world median 19.16 · Firms with a female top manager (%). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 1.429 to 62.9; higher is better.
Position 59th of 179 · derived.
Compliance with Labour RightsILO · 2024 · world median 1.611.261.61▲ Improved since 2015
Uganda: 1.26 · world median 1.61 · Compliance with freedom of association and collective bargaining rights (0 = best, 10 = worst). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 10; lower is better.
Length of Paid Paternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 343▼ Worsened since 2015
Uganda: 4 · world median 3 · Paid paternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 196; higher is better.
Behind the world median11
Statistics on which Uganda does worse than the middle country measured.
Firms Offering Formal TrainingWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 32.0724.5532.07No earlier reading
Uganda: 24.55 · world median 32.07 · Firms offering formal training to permanent full-time workers (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.42 to 79.12; higher is better.
Trade Union DensityILO · 2020 · world median 16.6810.2616.68No earlier reading
Uganda: 10.26 · world median 16.68 · Employees who are trade union members (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 0.2 to 91.42; higher is better.
Position 101st of 139 · derived.
Employment Injury Protection CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 45.91645.9No earlier reading
Uganda: 16 · world median 45.9 · Labour force covered in the event of a work injury (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
Length of Paid Maternity LeaveWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 988498▼ Worsened since 2015
Uganda: 84 · world median 98 · Paid maternity leave set in law (calendar days). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 410; higher is better.
Human Capital Wealth per CapitaWorld Bank Group · 2020 · world median 25,2306,99225,230▲ Improved since 2010
Uganda: 6,992 · world median 25,230 · Human capital per person — present value of future earnings (real chained 2019 US$). World Bank Group, 2020 edition, data for 2020.
Published values in that edition run from 700.38 to 735,422; higher is better.
Position 124th of 151 · derived.
Working Poverty RateILO · 2025 · world median 4.88553.094.885▼ Worsened since 2015
Uganda: 53.09 · world median 4.885 · Employed people living in extreme poverty (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.007 to 86.02; lower is better.
Agriculture, Forestry and Fishing Value Added per WorkerWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 6,742803.966,742No real change since 2015
Uganda: 803.96 · world median 6,742 · Agricultural value added per worker (constant 2015 US$). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 210.77 to 150,632; higher is better.
Position 140th of 151 · derived.
Informal Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 36.7689.9536.76No earlier reading
Uganda: 89.95 · world median 36.76 · Informal employment (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.857 to 94.44; lower is better.
Position 8th of 97 · derived, 1st = worst.
Firms Competing Against Informal FirmsWorld Bank Group · 2026 · world median 41.8170.6541.81No earlier reading
Uganda: 70.65 · world median 41.81 · Firms competing against unregistered or informal firms (%). World Bank Group, 2026 edition, data for 2026.
Published values in that edition run from 1.926 to 90.5; lower is better.
Position 14th of 181 · derived, 1st = worst.
Labour Productivity per Hour WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 22.163.0822.16▼ Worsened since 2015
Uganda: 3.08 · world median 22.16 · Output per hour worked (constant 2021 international $ at PPP). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.92 to 164.65; higher is better.
Position 170th of 182 · derived.
GDP per Person EmployedWorld Bank Group · 2025 · world median 47,3846,73147,384No real change since 2015
Uganda: 6,731 · world median 47,384 · GDP per person employed (constant 2021 international $). World Bank Group, 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 2,456 to 262,554; higher is better.
Position 158th of 168 · derived.
Level with the median, or no median to compare1
Unemployment Benefit CoverageILO · 2024 · world median 000No earlier reading
Uganda: 0 · world median 0 · Unemployed people receiving unemployment benefits (%). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 0 to 100; higher is better.
No better end7
These describe the shape of a country — more is not better or worse, only different — so they are never ahead or behind.
Employment in AgricultureILO · 2025 · world median 14.3864.8514.38No real change since 2015
Uganda: 64.85 · world median 14.38 · Employment in agriculture (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.095 to 85.34.
Position 9th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Self-Employment RateILO · 2025 · world median 31.8480.5331.84Moved since 2015
Uganda: 80.53 · world median 31.84 · Self-employed (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 0.832 to 91.56.
Position 15th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Average Weekly Hours WorkedILO · 2025 · world median 38.8941.738.89Moved since 2015
Uganda: 41.7 · world median 38.89 · Average weekly hours actually worked per employed person. International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 23.64 to 54.7.
Position 57th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Public Sector EmploymentWorld Bank Group · 2022 · world median 15.013.37215.01No earlier reading
Uganda: 3.372 · world median 15.01 · Public sector employment (% of total employment). World Bank Group, 2022 edition, data for 2022.
Published values in that edition run from 1.672 to 47.1.
Position 123rd of 135 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Employment in ServicesILO · 2025 · world median 59.5127.8559.51No real change since 2015
Uganda: 27.85 · world median 59.51 · Employment in services (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 11.56 to 92.17.
Position 172nd of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
Statutory Minimum WageILO · 2024 · world median 657.9598.06657.95Moved since 2014
Uganda: 98.06 · world median 657.95 · Statutory minimum wage per month (2021 PPP $). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2024 edition, data for 2024.
Published values in that edition run from 4.038 to 3,804.
Employment in IndustryILO · 2025 · world median 18.887.29618.88No real change since 2015
Uganda: 7.296 · world median 18.88 · Employment in industry (% of total employment). International Labour Organization (ILO), 2025 edition, data for 2025.
Published values in that edition run from 3.103 to 39.44.
Position 176th of 182 · derived, counted from the highest value.
No current reading for Uganda
Average Monthly Earnings of Employees (last 2021), Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4) (last 2021), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management (last 2021), Gini Index of Monthly Earnings (last 2021), Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate (last 2021), Share of Temporary Employees (last 2021) and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training (last 2021). Listed rather than hidden, so the page can be checked against it.
“Position · derived” is this site’s ordering of the published values, 1st = best unless the row says otherwise; the publisher ranks no country on it. Rank, position and standing
05Country Index 2026
Work & Labour among Uganda’s 14 topics
Work & Labour is Uganda’s 3rd best-placed topic of 14. Strongest first, each marker at its share of that topic’s field.
- Energy3rd of 1652/3 keys
- Environment & Sustainabilityjoint 18th of 1864/4 keys
- Work & Labourjoint 83rd of 1824/4 keys
- Digital & Technology104th of 1984/4 keys
- Gender & Equality108th of 1834/4 keys
- Economy & Innovation122nd of 1764/4 keys
- Governance & Institutions141st of 1944/4 keys
- Risk & Resilience145th of 1934/4 keys
- Democracy & Civil Liberties155th of 1984/4 keys
- Health & Wellbeingjoint 159th of 2004/4 keys
- Peace & Security148th of 1774/4 keys
- Food & Agriculture157th of 1844/4 keys
- Development & Human Capital172nd of 1963/3 keys
- Poverty & Inequality144th of 1593/3 keys
No standing on Education & Knowledge, Mobility & Trade: too few of those topics’ key statistics are published for this country.
06The top of the list
Who leads on work & labour
The three countries placed highest of 182, and the leaders Uganda can most readily be measured against.
1
IcelandNorthern Europe
1st of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
2
JapanEastern Asia
2nd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: JurriaanH · CC BY-SA 3.0, greyscale
3
South KoreaEastern Asia
3rd of 182 · 4 of 4 keys
Photo: Unknown author · CC BY-SA 2.0, greyscale
Placed highest nearby
Highest in Africa
Nigeria16th4/4 keysHighest in Eastern Africa
Tanzania=29th4/4 keysThis page
Uganda=83rd4/4 keys
Positions out of 182 placed on the topic. A country needs readings on enough keys to be placed, and the top of the list is often held on fewer of them.
07Analysis
Charts and analysis about Uganda and work & labour
On work & labour
Countries in Asia with the highest average salaries 2024
Thirteen Asian countries by gross average monthly wage, each carrying its WORLD rank rather than an Asian one — so the numbers skip, from 11th place to 45th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Highest Average Salaries in 2024
The ten highest-paying countries of 2024, their bars coloured by continent, and six more added for comparison — from Australia in 13th place to India in 85th.
On work & labour
Countries With The Lowest Average Salaries in 2024
The bottom ten of 196 countries, and six more added for comparison. Niger, Madagascar and Liberia are all published at US$47 a month and still carry three different ranks.
08Questions
Uganda on work & labour: questions answered
Every answer is built from the numbers on this page, so none can say something the page does not.
How does Uganda rank on work & labour?
Uganda is placed joint 83rd of 182 countries on Work & Labour in the Country Index 2026, from 4 of its 4 key statistics (Employment-to-Population Ratio, Labour Income Share, Unemployment Rate and Vulnerable Employment). The position is this site’s ordering of published statistics, not a rank any publisher printed.
What is the latest Employment-to-Population Ratio figure for Uganda?
77.83 in 2025 (employed share of the population aged 15+ (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 57.72.
What is the latest Labour Income Share figure for Uganda?
37.57 in 2025 (labour income share of GDP (%)), according to International Labour Organization (ILO). The world median in the same edition was 46.23.
How does Uganda compare with DR Congo on work & labour?
DR Congo is placed 137th of 182, and Uganda joint 83rd. Employment-to-Population Ratio: DR Congo 61.45, Uganda 77.83; Labour Income Share: DR Congo 37.74, Uganda 37.57; Unemployment Rate: DR Congo 4.434, Uganda 2.746; Vulnerable Employment: DR Congo 81.51, Uganda 74.39.
How have Uganda’s work & labour figures changed?
Employment-to-Population Ratio rose from 71.67 in 2000 to 77.83 in 2025; Labour Income Share rose from 37.41 in 2004 to 37.57 in 2025; Unemployment Rate fell from 3.531 in 2000 to 2.746 in 2025; Vulnerable Employment fell from 79.95 in 2000 to 74.39 in 2025.
Which work & labour statistics are missing for Uganda?
No current reading is published for Uganda on Average Monthly Earnings of Employees, Composite Rate of Labour Underutilisation (LU4), Fatal Occupational Injuries, Female Share of Senior and Middle Management, Gini Index of Monthly Earnings, Labour Inspectors per 10,000 Employed Persons, Low Pay Rate, Share of Temporary Employees and Youth Not in Education, Employment or Training. They are listed rather than hidden, so the evidence on the page can be checked against it.
09Method
Method, sources and how to cite
What this topic does not measure
Wages in money terms are not a key here, because pay figures are hard to compare fairly across countries with very different prices. Labour productivity, working hours, youth unemployment and the balance between farming, industry and services are published on this page as context. The size and growth of the wider economy belong to Economy & Innovation.
How the Work & Labour standing is decided
A standing is this site’s ordering, named with its edition — never a publisher’s rank. 4 key statistics vote, one vote each; every country’s published value becomes a place within that key’s own field, the places are averaged, and the average is never published. A country needs 2 of the 4 keys to be placed.
The work & labour method, step by stepHow every standing on this site is built
The key statistics and their licences
- Employment-to-Population Ratio — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Labour Income Share — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Unemployment Rate — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
- Vulnerable Employment — International Labour Organization (ILO), CC BY 4.0
The other 25 statistics on this page come from 2 publishers, each named beside its numbers, with every edition and licence on the datasets pages.
The standing itself is part of the Country Index 2026, published under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Photographs
Uganda’s banner and the countries placed highest, from their profiles: Wikimedia Commons, shown in greyscale, each used under the licence named.
- Uganda (banner) — Rod Waddington from Kergunyah, Australia, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Iceland — Hansueli Krapf, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Japan — JurriaanH, CC BY-SA 3.0
- South Korea — Unknown author, CC BY-SA 2.0
Cite this page
Nations Inquiry (2026). Uganda: Work & Labour — standing and statistics, Country Index 2026. https://nationsinquiry.com/countries/uganda/work