The Distribution of Welfare in Uganda

Abstract

This paper examines the distribution of welfare in Uganda in 1997. The data used was obtained from a household survey conducted by the Economic Policy Research Centre (EPRC) in the first quarter of 1997. The analysis of the data focused on the distribution of welfare as measured by household consumption expenditures. It also focused on the attributes of the poor and the very poor households and on the characteristics of their component members. The major findings of the analysis are that the poor are predominantly found in the rural areas, are less educated, have large household sizes, and are primarily agricultural workers. They lack basic services and amenities and have very low levels of expenditure. Inequality levels are high in Uganda as shown by the summary Measures of Inequality. Across regions we also see some divergence in welfare distribution and it is conclusively clear that welfare is unequally distributed in Uganda. The poor are sharing very little of the benefits of growth, while the rich are enjoying the greatest share of the benefits.


Eastern Africa Social Science Research Review (EASSRR) VOLUME XVI No. 2 June 2000, pp. 71-94