Population in largest city in Uganda
Uganda: Population in largest city was 4.27 million in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4.27 million
Change on year
up 5.3%
World rank
46th
of 153 countries
All-time high
4.27 million
in 2025
All-time low
137,486
in 1960
Years of data
66
1960–2025
Population in largest city in Uganda, 1960–2025
Source: World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
Analysis
The most recent figure for population in largest city in Uganda is 4.27 million, measured in 2025. That is the highest value across all 66 years on record.
That represents a change of up 5.3% on the previous year and up 65.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, population in largest city in Uganda peaked at 4.27 million in 2025 and was at its lowest, 137,486, in 1960.
That places Uganda 46th out of 153 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Population in largest city in Uganda, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 137,486 | — |
| 1961 | 151,339 | +10.1% |
| 1962 | 166,609 | +10.1% |
| 1963 | 183,421 | +10.1% |
| 1964 | 201,955 | +10.1% |
| 1965 | 222,304 | +10.1% |
| 1966 | 244,735 | +10.1% |
| 1967 | 269,430 | +10.1% |
| 1968 | 296,655 | +10.1% |
| 1969 | 326,546 | +10.1% |
| 1970 | 339,836 | +4.1% |
| 1971 | 350,668 | +3.2% |
| 1972 | 361,862 | +3.2% |
| 1973 | 373,380 | +3.2% |
| 1974 | 385,281 | +3.2% |
| 1975 | 397,562 | +3.2% |
| 1976 | 410,253 | +3.2% |
| 1977 | 423,311 | +3.2% |
| 1978 | 436,804 | +3.2% |
| 1979 | 450,728 | +3.2% |
| 1980 | 468,589 | +4.0% |
| 1981 | 491,444 | +4.9% |
| 1982 | 515,448 | +4.9% |
| 1983 | 540,624 | +4.9% |
| 1984 | 567,067 | +4.9% |
| 1985 | 594,725 | +4.9% |
| 1986 | 623,773 | +4.9% |
| 1987 | 654,240 | +4.9% |
| 1988 | 686,240 | +4.9% |
| 1989 | 719,711 | +4.9% |
| 1990 | 754,863 | +4.9% |
| 1991 | 792,274 | +5.0% |
| 1992 | 832,239 | +5.0% |
| 1993 | 874,101 | +5.0% |
| 1994 | 918,131 | +5.0% |
| 1995 | 964,379 | +5.0% |
| 1996 | 1.01 million | +5.0% |
| 1997 | 1.06 million | +5.0% |
| 1998 | 1.12 million | +5.0% |
| 1999 | 1.17 million | +5.0% |
| 2000 | 1.23 million | +5.0% |
| 2001 | 1.30 million | +5.0% |
| 2002 | 1.36 million | +5.0% |
| 2003 | 1.43 million | +5.0% |
| 2004 | 1.50 million | +5.0% |
| 2005 | 1.58 million | +5.0% |
| 2006 | 1.66 million | +5.0% |
| 2007 | 1.74 million | +5.0% |
| 2008 | 1.83 million | +5.0% |
| 2009 | 1.92 million | +5.0% |
| 2010 | 2.02 million | +5.0% |
| 2011 | 2.12 million | +5.0% |
| 2012 | 2.22 million | +5.0% |
| 2013 | 2.34 million | +5.0% |
| 2014 | 2.45 million | +5.0% |
| 2015 | 2.58 million | +5.0% |
| 2016 | 2.71 million | +5.0% |
| 2017 | 2.84 million | +5.0% |
| 2018 | 2.99 million | +5.0% |
| 2019 | 3.14 million | +5.1% |
| 2020 | 3.30 million | +5.1% |
| 2021 | 3.47 million | +5.2% |
| 2022 | 3.65 million | +5.3% |
| 2023 | 3.85 million | +5.3% |
| 2024 | 4.05 million | +5.3% |
| 2025 | 4.27 million | +5.3% |
Uganda compared with similar countries
- Uganda's 4.27 million is above the median for low income countries, which is 1.98 million, 2.1× the median. (25 countries reporting)
- Uganda's 4.27 million is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 2.18 million, 2.0× the median. (40 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 220,048 | 137,486 | 326,546 | 10 |
| 1970s | 392,968 | 339,836 | 450,728 | 10 |
| 1980s | 586,186 | 468,589 | 719,711 | 10 |
| 1990s | 950,445 | 754,863 | 1.17 million | 10 |
| 2000s | 1.55 million | 1.23 million | 1.92 million | 10 |
| 2010s | 2.54 million | 2.02 million | 3.14 million | 10 |
| 2020s | 3.76 million | 3.30 million | 4.27 million | 6 |
Countries ranked near Uganda
More urban development data for Uganda
- Population in the largest city 26.0% (2025)
- Population density 242.65 people per sq. km of land area (2023)
- PM2.5 air pollution, mean annual exposure 31.21 micrograms per cubic meter (2023)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per capita 0.083 units per person (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million 4.27 million (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, annual 5.29 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per unit 0.0001 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population in urban agglomerations of more than 1 million, per square 19.18 units per square kilometre (2023)
- Crude steelmaking capacity 0.072 Tonnes (2025)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 23 - Ecological 54.77 Hectares (2020)
Frequently asked questions
- What is population in largest city in Uganda?
- Population in largest city in Uganda was 4.27 million in 2025, according to World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN).
- What is the highest population in largest city recorded in Uganda?
- The highest recorded value was 4.27 million in 2025.
- What is the lowest population in largest city recorded in Uganda?
- The lowest recorded value was 137,486 in 1960.
- How does Uganda rank for population in largest city?
- Uganda ranks 46th out of 153 countries with data for 2025.
- Is population in largest city rising or falling in Uganda?
- Over the last ten years it is up 65.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Uganda data come from?
- The figures come from World Urbanization Prospects 2018, United Nations (UN), published as part of Population in largest city. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Population in largest city is the urban population living in the country's largest metropolitan area.