2025-03-16-世界银行-乌干达经济更新_第24版_投资于乌干达的幼儿发展以实现人力资本转型（英）_66页_5mb

The Uganda Economic Update highlights significant economic resilience amidst global challenges. The economy grew by 6.1% in the fiscal year 2023/24, driven by performance in services and industry, with agriculture contributing due to favorable conditions. Inflation decreased to 3.2% from 8.8%, supported by a tight monetary policy and stable exchange rates. However, fiscal consolidation efforts remain focused, with a fiscal deficit reducing from 5.5% to 4.8% of GDP, though still higher than planned targets. External challenges persist, including a current account deficit and reliance on imports despite improvements in exports.

The report underscores the critical importance of investing in Early Childhood Development (ECD) as a foundation for Uganda’s human capital and long-term economic transformation. The country’s demographics offer a unique window for growth, with a young population that could drive economic acceleration if properly capitalized. However, ECD services face significant gaps—inequitable access, underfunding, poor quality in health, nutrition, WASH, childcare, and education. Pre-primary education is particularly underdeveloped, with limited public provision and significant affordability barriers.

Key recommendations emphasize:

• Commit to increased public expenditure on ECD, building on the new ECCE Policy to include government-financed pre-primary education.
• Enhance quality assurance mechanisms for ECD services, including staffing norms, training for educators, and monitoring data.
• Leverage financing from development partners and the private sector for ECD programs, particularly in childcare.
• Develop affordable childcare options, especially for women in the informal sector, and align policies with global best practices and local cultural contexts.

Priority investment areas include expanding primary healthcare and nutrition services, implementing publicly funded pre-primary education, scaling up parenting support programs, and creating inclusive childcare options. These actions could drive significant economic and social returns by fostering human capital development and equitable growth.