Uganda Sees Decline in Subsistence Farming Amidst Rise in Salaried Jobs

Uganda is experiencing a notable shift away from subsistence agriculture, with fewer households relying solely on farming for their own consumption. This trend, according to the Uganda Bureau of Statistics (UBoS), is driven by an increasing number of citizens pursuing salaried jobs and the expanding services sector.

The UBoS’s Harmonised Integrated Survey report reveals that the proportion of individuals aged 15 and above engaged in subsistence work has fallen from 30.4 percent in 2021/22 to 25.8 percent in 2024/25. Concurrently, on-farm self-employment has also seen a decrease.

In contrast, non-farm wage employment has grown, climbing from 14.9 percent to 19.7 percent over the same period. This highlights a move towards more formal, paid work. Even within agriculture, a rise in farm wage employment suggests a diversification where individuals work for wages on farms rather than solely producing for themselves.

The agriculture, forestry, and fishing sector’s overall employment share has reduced by 8.3 percent, while the industry sector saw a modest increase. The services sector, encompassing trade, transport, and informal urban activities, has experienced significant growth, now employing 36.5 percent of the workforce aged 15 and above.

Despite the positive trend in wage employment, the report also points to a slight increase in unemployment, from 10.2 percent to 11 percent, raising concerns about the economy’s capacity to absorb the growing labour force. Furthermore, a considerable portion of the workforce remains in low-productivity and informal jobs, underscoring the complexity of Uganda’s evolving labour market.

These findings are crucial for informing policy decisions aimed at improving decent work, reducing inequality, and fostering inclusive job creation across the country. The data is sourced from the Uganda Harmonised Integrated Survey report by the Uganda Bureau of Statistics.