Situation analySiS

Situation analySiS of Children in uganda 20152 the countrycontextThis chapter describes the social, economic and demographic factors that underpinchildren’s rights in Uganda. In doing so, it provides an account of the Government’s effortsand abilities to reduce income poverty, while introducing key policy challenges, particularlyin relation to regional differences and inequity.2.1 SOCIAL, ECONOMIC ANDDEMOGRAPHIC FACTORS2.1.1 Economic growthUganda has made significant economic progress in the last two decades, with an annualgrowth rate in GDP between 1992 and 2011 of 7.1%. However, between 2011 and 2012,GDP fell to 3.2% due to high population growth, a decrease in export performance and highinflation (AfDB et al., 2013). Projected growth for 2014–15 is 6.2% but requires strong publicinvestment by the government (World Bank, 2015). Economic and social developmentreveals a mixed picture. The African Development Bank (AfDB) projected real GDP growthat 5.2% in 2013 and 6.6% in 2014. However, the Bank’s Economic Outlook observes thatan unfavourable investment climate for the private sector and public sector constraintscontinue to hamper economic growth (AfDB et al., 2013).Economic growth also remains challenged by demographic factors and non-productivepopulations. More than half of Uganda’s population (56%) is under 18 years of age and thelargest percentage of this age group is aged between 0 and 4 years. Of these 0–4-year-olds,55% are deprived in at least two poverty dimensions, while 38% of those aged 6–17 live inpoverty. According to a situation analysis of child poverty and deprivation, 24% of childrenaged 0–4 and 18% of children aged 6–18 years can be characterised as living in extremepoverty, experiencing extreme deprivation (MoGLSD et al., 2014).FIGURE 2: trends inpopulAtion AndproJected populAtionuntil 2030source: un/desA, 201222thE CoUNtry CoNtExt