Uganda Loses 24% of Potential Annually to Teenage Pregnancy, UNFPA Warns
Ugandan officials and the UNFPA are highlighting the need for increased investment in youth and technology to drive economic growth. They warn that teenage pregnancy remains a significant barrier, costing the country 24% of its potential annually.
Why it matters
Addressing adolescent health and education is critical for Uganda to leverage its young population for sustainable economic development.
KAMPALA -- Uganda will mark this year's World Population Day on July 11 with virtual celebrations hosted at the Office of the Vice President, as government and development partners call for increased investment in young people, technology and innovation to unlock the potential of the country's rapidly growing population.
Speaking to journalists at the Uganda Media Centre ahead of the celebrations, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Country Representative Kristine Blokhus said this year's theme, "Unlocking the Potential of Uganda's Population," focuses on investing in the country's youthful population to accelerate sustainable development.
Blokhus said Uganda's young population presents a major opportunity for economic transformation but warned that challenges such as teenage pregnancy continue to undermine the country's development potential.
She revealed that Uganda loses an estimated 24 percent of its potential annually due to teenage pregnancy, stressing the need for greater investment in adolescent health, education and empowerment.
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