Govt celebrates drop in fertility rate

Uganda's government is celebrating a significant drop in fertility rates among women, from 6.2 children per woman in 2020/2021 to 5.2 children per woman in 2022/2023, according to State Minister for Finance and Planning Amos Lugoloobi.
Minister Lugoloobi says decline is seen as a positive step towards reducing the pressure on Uganda's economy.
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Presenting the National Development Plan IV before the budget committee, Lugoloobi highlighted the importance of this trend.
However, not everyone shares the same enthusiasm. Patrick Isiagi, Chairperson of the Budget Committee, cautioned against celebrating the decline, stating that Uganda still needs a larger population to drive development.
Lugoloobi's announcement is consistent with Uganda's National Population Policy, which aims to reduce the total fertility rate (TFR) from 7.1 in 1991 to 6.5.
A lower fertility rate can have numerous benefits, including reducing poverty and hunger, as well as averting maternal and childhood mortality.
Despite these advantages, Isiagi's concerns about the need for a larger population to drive development are valid.
Uganda's population growth rate is still among the highest in the world, and a declining fertility rate could potentially impact the country's economic growth and development prospects.
As Uganda continues to navigate its demographic transition, it is essential to strike a balance between reducing fertility rates and promoting sustainable economic growth and development.