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Uganda economy ranking: GDP & GDP per capita, debt

Updated on by Georank team

Uganda ranked 89/197 by economy size with a GDP of $53.9B and 176/197 by GDP per capita at $1,078. Uganda has $27.8B in government debt, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 51.5%.

In 2024, Uganda made up 0.05% of the world's economy, compared to 0.03% in 1960.

Uganda GDP & GDP growth by year

GDP, current $
Real growth
1x
Year GDP GDP growth
2024 $53,911,907,086 6.06%
2023 $48,768,955,863 5.34%
2022 $45,565,333,211 4.59%
2021 $40,529,788,749 3.54%
2020 $37,600,368,242 2.95%
2019 $35,353,061,003 6.44%
2018 $32,927,025,620 6.3%
2017 $30,744,473,841 3.13%
2016 $29,203,988,696 4.78%
2015 $32,387,183,730 5.19%
2014 $32,612,397,257 5.11%
2013 $28,915,786,517 3.59%
2012 $27,305,915,911 3.84%
2011 $27,871,725,241 9.39%
2010 $26,673,441,431 5.64%
2009 $25,127,805,567 6.8%
2008 $14,440,404,132 8.71%
2007 $11,902,564,495 8.41%
2006 $9,977,647,683 10.8%
2005 $9,239,221,763 6.33%
2004 $7,939,487,548 6.81%
2003 $6,606,884,275 6.47%
2002 $6,178,563,591 8.73%
2001 $5,840,503,869 5.18%
2000 $6,193,246,837 3.14%
1999 $5,998,563,258 8.05%
1998 $6,584,815,847 4.91%
1997 $6,269,333,313 5.1%
1996 $6,044,585,327 9.07%
1995 $5,755,818,842 11.5%
1994 $3,990,430,447 6.4%
1993 $3,220,439,044 8.33%
1992 $2,857,457,762 3.42%
1991 $3,321,729,160 5.55%
1990 $4,304,399,310 6.47%
1989 $5,276,480,799 6.36%
1988 $6,508,931,652 8.27%
1987 $6,269,522,042 3.96%
1986 $3,923,244,050 0.39%
1985 $3,519,695,444 -3.31%
1984 $3,615,647,477 -0.34%
1983 $2,240,333,333 5.74%
1982 $2,177,500,000 -
1981 $1,337,300,000 -
1980 $1,244,610,000 -
1979 $2,139,025,000 -
1978 $2,420,260,870 -
1977 $2,936,470,588 -
1976 $2,447,300,000 -
1975 $2,359,555,556 -
1974 $2,098,944,967 -
1973 $1,701,829,789 -
1972 $1,490,970,181 -
1971 $1,417,191,656 -
1970 $1,259,554,809 -
1969 $1,168,556,629 -
1968 $1,037,379,252 -
1967 $967,240,655 -
1966 $925,381,492 -
1965 $884,502,310 -
1964 $589,247,687 -
1963 $516,315,231 -
1962 $449,158,233 -
1961 $441,667,335 -
1960 $423,145,605 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/uganda | CC BY

Uganda GDP per capita by year

GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $1,078 $3,273
2023 $1,002 $3,098
2022 $963 $2,919
2021 $883 $2,685
2020 $846 $2,532
2019 $822 $2,441
2018 $792 $2,312
2017 $765 $2,158
2016 $753 $2,165
2015 $863 $2,190
2014 $896 $2,134
2013 $818 $2,045
2012 $795 $2,032
2011 $836 $2,268
2010 $823 $2,092
2009 $799 $2,015
2008 $473 $1,931
2007 $401 $1,795
2006 $347 $1,660
2005 $330 $1,497
2004 $292.4 $1,405
2003 $250.7 $1,320
2002 $242 $1,255
2001 $236 $1,173
2000 $258.1 $1,124
1999 $257.9 $1,100
1998 $292.5 $1,037
1997 $286.8 $1,007
1996 $284.7 $969
1995 $278.5 $897
1994 $198.4 $809
1993 $165.6 $770
1992 $152.1 $719
1991 $183 $703
1990 $245 $666
1989 $310 -
1988 $395 -
1987 $393 -
1986 $253.6 -
1985 $234.3 -
1984 $247.5 -
1983 $157.5 -
1982 $157 -
1981 $98.6 -
1980 $93.8 -
1979 $164.5 -
1978 $190.7 -
1977 $237.6 -
1976 $203.3 -
1975 $201.2 -
1974 $183.7 -
1973 $152.7 -
1972 $137 -
1971 $133.5 -
1970 $122 -
1969 $116.7 -
1968 $106.9 -
1967 $102.8 -
1966 $101.4 -
1965 $100 -
1964 $68.6 -
1963 $62 -
1962 $55.5 -
1961 $56.2 -
1960 $55.4 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/uganda | CC BY

Uganda has a GDP per capita of $1,078, ranking 176/197, a GDP per capita based on purchasing power parity (PPP) of $3,273, ranking 176/197, and a median annual after tax income of $1,466, ranking 180/197.

Uganda GDP rankings by year

GDP
GDP per capita
GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Rank
GDP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 88 165 162
2023 90 174 170
2022 91 177 171
2021 94 178 170
2020 94 175 170
2019 98 177 171
2018 101 178 171
2017 99 180 172
2016 99 177 172
2015 98 176 173
2014 99 177 171
2013 101 178 174
2012 100 177 171
2011 99 174 167
2010 97 171 170
2009 96 169 171
2008 113 187 171
2007 114 186 172
2006 115 184 176
2005 113 182 175
2004 112 183 176
2003 112 184 177
2002 112 182 175
2001 111 184 174
2000 108 179 175
1999 109 180 173
1998 100 174 171
1997 104 176 171
1996 104 175 170
1995 102 171 171
1994 111 172 170
1993 115 181 169
1992 121 178 170
1991 116 178 170
1990 106 169 169
1989 84 144 -
1988 79 139 -
1987 81 135 -
1986 87 142 -
1985 89 144 -
1984 88 141 -
1983 98 152 -
1982 97 152 -
1981 109 155 -
1980 112 155 -
1979 92 143 -
1978 88 134 -
1977 81 124 -
1976 83 122 -
1975 81 124 -
1974 80 122 -
1973 77 124 -
1972 76 123 -
1971 74 122 -
1970 75 124 -
1969 73 105 -
1968 74 105 -
1967 73 103 -
1966 72 104 -
1965 70 103 -
1964 75 109 -
1963 77 109 -
1962 79 109 -
1961 78 107 -
1960 76 105 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/uganda | CC BY

Compared with 2000, in 2024 Uganda is ranked 88th out of 182 by GDP (up from 108th), 165th by GDP per capita (up from 179th), and 162nd by GDP per capita PPP (up from 175th).

Economic indicators

Uganda Rank
Gross domestic product
$53.9B
2024
89/197
GDP growth
6.06%
2023-2024
22/194
GDP per capita
$1,078
2024
176/197
GDP per capita, PPP
$3,273
2024
176/197
Government debt
$27.8B
2024
92/185
Debt-to-GDP ratio
51.5%
2024
103/185
Government debt per person
$555
2024
163/185
Average annual personal income after taxes
$1,466
2026
180/197
Income share by richest 10%
34.5%
2019
18/169
Income share by poorest 10%
2.4%
2019
112/169
Government expenditure, % of GDP
18.7%
2024
167/195
Consumer prices inflation
3.3%
2023-2024
92/195
Central bank interest rate
9.75%
2024
29/106
Unemployment rate
3.42%
2021
141/196
Population
53170946
31/197

Government spending, deficit, and debt by year

Spending
Debt
Deficit/surplus
1x
Year % of GDP
Government spending Government debt Government deficit/surplus
2024 18.7% 51.5% -3.99%
2023 19.3% 50.5% -4.87%
2022 19.5% 50.2% -5.45%
2021 22% 50.3% -7.76%
2020 21.4% 46.3% -7.76%
2019 18.3% 37.5% -4.82%
2018 16.2% 34.9% -3.02%
2017 16.3% 33.6% -3.83%
2016 15.2% 31.3% -2.64%
2015 14.9% 28% -2.59%
2014 13.6% 24.8% -2.74%
2013 13.3% 22.1% -3.19%
2012 13.1% 19.5% -2.39%
2011 13.2% 18% -2.04%
2010 15.4% 18.4% -4.64%
2009 11.8% 14.8% -1.61%
2008 12.9% 15.7% -1.99%
2007 13.2% 17% -0.82%
2006 13.7% 27.8% -0.64%
2005 14.5% 42.6% -0.17%
2004 15.6% 49% 0.34%
2003 16.5% 55.1% -0.97%
2002 16.8% 54.7% -2.07%
2001 16.2% 51.4% -0.99%
2000 15.2% 48.5% -0.62%
1999 14.7% 47.7% -1.24%
1998 14% 45.1% -0.7%
1997 13.9% 44.2% -0.83%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/uganda | CC BY

This chart shows Uganda's government spending, budget balance, and debt over time, each expressed as a share of GDP.

Over the past 28 years, Uganda recorded a fiscal deficit in 27 of them, with an average annual deficit equal to 2.64% of GDP. In 2024, government spending reached $10.1B (18.7% of GDP), with a deficit of 3.99%.

The national debt reached $27.8B, ranking 92nd out of 185 countries by total size, with a debt-to-GDP ratio of 51.5%, ranking 103rd.

Inflation rate by year

1x
Year Inflation
2024 3.3%
2023 5.4%
2022 7.2%
2021 2.2%
2020 2.8%
2019 2.1%
2018 2.5%
2017 5.6%
2016 5.2%
2015 3.7%
2014 4.3%
2013 5.5%
2012 14%
2011 18.7%
2010 4%
2009 13%
2008 12%
2007 6.1%
2006 7.2%
2005 8.6%
2004 3.7%
2003 8.7%
2002 -0.3%
2001 1.9%
2000 3.4%
1999 5.8%
1998 5.8%
1997 7.7%
1996 7.5%
1995 6.8%
1994 5.8%
1993 30%
1992 42.2%
1991 20.8%
1990 45.4%
1989 130.8%
1988 166.7%
1987 215.4%
1986 143.8%
1985 100%
1984 16.7%
1983 150%
1982 100%
1981 100%
1980 99.2%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1980–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/uganda | CC BY

Over the past 20 years, Uganda has had an average annual inflation rate of 6.67%. In 2024, inflation was 3.3%. The bar chart above shows consumer price inflation by year.

Balance of trade

Uganda Rank
Current account balance
-$4.29B
2024
164/190
Current account balance, % of GDP
-7.96%
2024
153/190
Goods imports
$11.7B
2024
103/189
Goods exports
$8.67B
2024
104/189
Service imports
$4.38B
2024
94/189
Service exports
$2.39B
2024
108/189
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.9%
2024
143/181
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.8%
2024
160/193

Uganda top 10 trading partners

Uganda's biggest trading partner accounting for 18.3% of all exports and imports is the United Arab Emirates, with a trade balance between the two of +$1.32B: Uganda exports $2.61B worth of goods and services to the United Arab Emirates and imports $1.29B.

Below is the list of the top 10 trade partners of Uganda.

Rank Country Trade value Share of total trade Export to Import from Top export to Top import from
1 UAE $3.9B 18.3% $2.61B $1.29B Precious metals & jewellery Raw materials & minerals
2 China $2.81B 13.2% $92.6M $2.72B Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
3 Tanzania $1.85B 8.68% $165M $1.69B Raw materials & minerals Precious metals & jewellery
4 India $1.73B 8.13% $459M $1.27B Precious metals & jewellery Machinery & equipment
5 Kenya $1.41B 6.63% $590M $824M Raw agricultural goods Raw materials & minerals
6 Italy $595M 2.79% $482M $113M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment
7 South Africa $575M 2.7% $8.67M $567M Raw agricultural goods Precious metals & jewellery
8 South Sudan $525M 2.46% $490M $34.7M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Metals
9 DR Congo $500M 2.35% $478M $21.6M Processed food, beverages & tobacco Metals
10 Japan $484M 2.27% $23M $461M Raw agricultural goods Machinery & equipment

Top 10 exports

Uganda Rank
Precious metals & jewellery $3.38B 35/190
Raw agricultural goods $2.15B 56/193
Transport & tourism services $1.43B 105/188
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $859M 87/192
Raw materials & minerals $386M 131/193
Animal & marine products $261M 85/192
Metals $255M 107/192
Machinery & equipment $229M 112/193
Business & finance services $228M 105/188
Government & miscellaneous services $212M 49/180

Top 10 imports

Uganda Rank
Precious metals & jewellery $3.28B 27/193
Machinery & equipment $2.84B 109/193
Raw materials & minerals $2.63B 105/193
Transport & tourism services $2.38B 96/188
Chemicals & pharma $1.7B 94/193
Metals $949M 98/193
Business & finance services $916M 92/188
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $802M 115/193
Textiles & consumer goods $687M 113/193
Raw agricultural goods $637M 100/193

Economic freedom indices

Uganda Rank
Economic freedom 52.4 149/197
Property rights 42.2 114/182
Government integrity 25.1 145/182
Judicial effectiveness 29.4 128/182
Tax burden 73.4 128/182
Government spending 89 35/180
Fiscal health 58.3 120/181
Business freedom 50.2 140/182
Labor freedom 55.9 95/182
Monetary freedom 77.1 51/180
Trade freedom 58 157/181
Investment freedom 30 158/181
Financial freedom 40 129/181

Economic freedom by year

1x
Year Index
Economic freedom Judicial effectiveness Tax burden Government spending Fiscal health
2026 52.4 29.4 73.4 89 58.3
2025 51.3 29.2 73.6 87.7 35.5
2024 50.7 29.2 73.5 86.8 18.3
2023 51.4 24.3 73.5 87.4 23.3
2022 54.2 29.2 73.6 89.8 53.5
2021 58.6 36.5 73.2 91.6 63.2
2020 59.5 36.9 80.3 88.4 64.3
2019 59.7 38.5 73.3 88.7 68.6
2018 62 40.3 73 90.9 80.7
2017 60.9 34.6 73.7 91 78.1
2016 59.3 - 73.2 91.5 -
2015 59.7 - 73.3 89 -
2014 59.9 - 79.1 87.3 -
2013 61.1 - 80.6 84.3 -
2012 61.9 - 80.4 93 -
2011 61.7 - 80.6 90.5 -
2010 62.2 - 80.5 85.5 -
2009 63.5 - 80.4 86.9 -
2008 63.8 - 80.5 86 -
2007 63.1 - 80.6 83 -
2006 63.9 - 80.6 83.7 -
2005 62.9 - 80.7 81.1 -
2004 64.1 - 80.7 88.2 -
2003 60.1 - 80.9 78.5 -
2002 61 - 80.7 90.3 -
2001 60.4 - 81 92.3 -
2000 58.2 - 80.8 91.3 -
1999 64.8 - 80.8 92.1 -
1998 64.7 - 80.9 91.6 -
1997 66.6 - 81 89.6 -
1996 66.2 - 81.3 89.6 -
1995 62.9 - 81.5 89.6 -

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/uganda | CC BY

Uganda is ranked 132/174 for economic freedom with a score of 52.4, compared to 50/162 and a score of 63.9 in 2006.

Other economic metrics

Uganda Rank
Services, % of GDP
43.1%
2024
166/191
Industry, % of GDP
24.9%
2024
89/194
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
24.6%
2024
21/193
GNI, Atlas method
$50.9B
2024
90/194
GNI per capita, PPP
$3,190
2024
173/191
Total reserves including gold
$3.36B
2018
114/177
Net foreign direct investment
-$3.26B
2024
152/189
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$3.26B
2024
56/193
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$400K
2024
133/193
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
2.96%
2024
83/121
Poverty at national poverty lines
20.3%
2019
97/176
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
22.4%
2024
96/178

Compare Uganda vs other countries

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/uganda | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  5. TradeMap (2022–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  7. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.