Uganda's low family planning uptake strains families and National Development
Uganda continues to face the consequences of low family planning uptake, with many families producing more children than they can afford to care for.
With the current fertility rate standing at 4.3 children per woman in 2024, parents often struggle to provide their children with essential needs such as healthcare, education, and food.
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The low use of modern contraceptives—only 30% of married women utilize them—has exacerbated poverty, overpopulation, and overwhelmed social services.
"Family planning is critical not just for reducing maternal and child mortality but also for enabling parents to better provide for their children," says Dr. Sarah Nakiyingi, a reproductive health expert.
"When families grow beyond their means, they compromise their economic and social well-being." Poor birth spacing elevates health risks for mothers and newborns, contributing to higher maternal mortality and overstressing Uganda’s healthcare system.
Economically, large, unplanned families increase the dependency burden, reducing household incomes and deepening poverty.
This strain is felt across society as unemployment remains high, limiting parents’ ability to support their children. Experts stress the need for greater awareness and access to family planning to improve both individual household welfare and the nation's broader economic prospects.
