The effect of imports, industry, infant mortality rate and female literacy on GDP growth for Uganda (1990-2018).

Abstract

This study aims at the effects of industrial sector, import sector, female literacy, and infant mortality rate on GDP growth rate for Uganda The effect of industrial development, infant mortality rate, imports and female literacy on the GDP growth for Uganda has over the past decade been a recurring issue for analysis like every economy most especially developing economies. Uganda has enjoyed a long period of sustained economic growth since 1991 and though, there is a poor contribution from the import sector since Uganda imports already finished goods with few factor inputs to boost production for GDP growth. However, the industrial sector and female literacy contribute the better percentage to the countries’ GDP growth compared to the import sector as it is seen in the data analysis. There are various studies that have supported that industrial development, female literacy, reduced infant mortality rate and importation of raw materials is a pathway to sustainable economic growth. Thus, this research investigates the effect of imports, infant mortality rate, industrial development and female literacy on the Uganda’s economic growth (1990 – 2018). The secondary data that was collected from National statistical data set of the World Bank. GDP was used as the dependent variable, while the import sector, infant mortality rate, industrial sector and female literacy as the independent variables. The model used to explain the effect of the four variables on the GDP growth. Infant mortality rate and importation of finished products have a negative relationship while female literacy and industrial development have positive relationship on GDP growth. Based on the findings, it is therefore recommended that the government and its agencies should ensure political stability and also the implementation of strategic policies that will create a fair playing grounds for potential investors, clear policies to support female literacy and to reduce infant mortality rate so as to increase future labor force to facilitate the strengthening of economic growth (GDP)