Impact of Human Capital Development on Economic Growth in Uganda.
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Date
2024
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Kabale University
Abstract
The primary objective of this study was to examine the relationship between human capital development and economic growth from 2012 to 2022, utilizing secondary time series data sourced from the World Bank and World Development Indicators. Human capital plays a crucial role in enabling countries to enhance their economic performance and improve the well-being of their citizens. As Uganda embarks on a new phase of economic development characterized by increased diversification, urbanization, and closer integration with regional and global markets, it is vital that the country does not lag in developing this asset. The youth population, which constitutes a significant and growing proportion of Uganda's demographic, is key to achieving this transformation provided they enter adulthood and the labor market with the necessary skills and knowledge to harness and develop new technologies. A well-educated workforce can contribute to reducing income inequality, enhancing social mobility, and promoting social cohesion. However, Uganda is currently at a disadvantage, with children born today expected to be only 38 percent as productive in adulthood as they could be with complete education and good health. This shortfall is primarily attributed to the poor quality of education, which negatively affects learning outcomes. Urgent action is needed to reverse this troubling trend; otherwise, Uganda risks missing out on its demographic dividend, resulting in a large, poorly educated population that hinders the prospects for a more prosperous future. To address this issue, Uganda must adopt a dual-priority strategy focusing on expanding access to education from pre-primary through lower secondary levels, as well as improving the quality of education at all levels. Achieving these goals will require greater internal efficiency, increased resource allocation to the education sector, and enhanced collaboration with private-sector education providers.
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Keywords
Impact, Human Capital Development, Economic Growth, Uganda
Citation
Nuwagaba, Christopher (2024). Impact of Human Capital Development on Economic Growth in Uganda. Kabale: Kabale University.