Uganda’s Middle Class Grows As Poverty Dips
Monday, May 14, 2012
Kampala — The number of absolutely poor Ugandans has dropped to 7.5 million (24.5%) from 8.5 million (31.1%) as of 2010, a Ministry of Finance status report released in Kampala shows.
The report indicates a growth in the country’s middle class from 7.8 million (28.7%) in 2006 to 10 million (32.6%) in 2010. It as well shows a growth in the non poor but insecure citizens from 11 million to 13.2 million in the country.
The absolutely poor Ugandans are those that feed on less than a dollar (Ushs2500) a day, while the non poor but insecure citizens are those that can meet their basic needs or afford to feed on more than a dollar but can easily fall back into the poverty cycle.
The middle class are citizens that have at least attained a certain level of income security. They devote a higher proportion of total consumption to education, and has fewer and more educated children.