By Spy Uganda
Uganda has joined the global conversation on reproductive rights and demographic shifts with the launch of the 2025 State of the World Population Report, themed “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World.”
Presented at the Uganda Media Centre by Dr. Gift Malunga, UNFPA Representative in Uganda, the report challenges long-held views about population growth, placing the spotlight instead on the freedom to choose if, when, and how many children to have.
The report, officially unveiled worldwide on June 10 by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), was launched locally in partnership with the National Planning Authority. Dr. Malunga, speaking on behalf of the Authority, emphasized that the real crisis is not fertility rates, but the systemic barriers preventing people from achieving their desired family size.
“The issue is lack of choice, not desire—with major consequences for individuals and societies,” said Dr. Malunga.
Uganda has made significant progress, with the national fertility rate dropping from 6.2 to 4.5 children per woman over the last decade. However, access to reproductive agency remains unequal. A UNFPA-YouGov survey found that 39% of Ugandans cite economic barriers—especially the rising cost of childcare—as the main obstacle to having the families they desire. Globally, more than half of respondents raised similar concerns, while one in three reported experiencing unintended pregnancies, revealing gaps in access to reproductive health services.
“Economic barriers don’t just limit budgets—they limit dreams,” Dr. Malunga told participants.
The report underscores the potential of Uganda’s Parish Development Model (PDM) in empowering households. Already, 33% of subsistence households have transitioned into the money economy through the initiative. By decentralizing services such as healthcare and education, PDM enhances informed decision-making at the grassroots.
“PDM brings services to the doorstep, giving families the power to plan their futures,” said Dr. Malunga.
The report’s findings are informing Uganda’s strategic direction under the Fourth National Development Plan (NDP IV), unveiled by President Yoweri Museveni on June 5, 2025. NDP IV aims to catapult Uganda’s GDP from $53.7 billion to $500 billion by 2040, with an emphasis on agro-industrialization, tourism, mineral development, and innovation. These focus areas are expected to generate jobs and enhance economic stability—core factors in expanding reproductive choices and reducing poverty-driven practices like child marriage.
The National Planning Authority is now embedding population dynamics into spatial planning, ensuring that growth is both inclusive and sustainable.
Uganda will further spotlight these issues on World Population Day, July 11, in Kayunga District, under the theme: “Promoting Population Health and Well-being through the Parish Development Model.” The event will showcase how PDM supports affordable childcare, quality education, and poverty reduction—all key to reproductive empowerment.
Despite the positive trends, the report warns that Uganda’s fertility rate, if it continues to fall, may dip below the replacement level of 2.1, potentially posing long-term demographic challenges.
“Reproductive agency is the heart of sustainable development,” Malunga concluded.
Supported by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Sweden, the report launch reaffirmed Uganda’s dedication to reproductive health and rights. As preparations begin for the State of Uganda Population Report, Uganda is aligning global insights with Vision 2040, using tools like NDP IV and PDM to transform reproductive challenges into opportunities.
The 2025 report offers a clear roadmap: investments in affordable housing, decent work, parental leave, and comprehensive reproductive healthcare are not just social benefits—they are essential building blocks for a future where choice is a right, not a privilege.
