Facts and figures
UNICEF Reports
Two of the most comprehensive studies containing detailed estimates of the numbers, location and causes of the orphan situation in Sub-Saharan Africa are the following two reports compiled by UNICEF: 'Africa's Orphaned Generations' (2003), and 'Africa's Orphaned and Vulnerable Generations: Children Affected by AIDS' (2006). (You can find a link to the UNICEF website on the 'Links' page of this site.) A summary of the statistics / details contained in the reports are set out on this page.
Orphans in Uganda
Orphans in all of Sub-Saharan Africa
Uganda Statistics
Regional Statistics
Community Based Care Options
Orphans in Uganda
The following data for Uganda is contained in the 2006 UNICEF Report, the location of the charity's projects undertaken to date.
| Measurement for Uganda | Data |
Total number of orphans in 2005 |
2,300,000 |
Projected total number of orphans in 2010 |
2,500,000 |
Percentage of children who are orphans in 2005 |
14% |
Number of orphans due to AIDS in 2005 |
1,000,000 |
Children orphaned by AIDS as a percentage of all orphans in 2005 |
45% |
Children orphaned in 2005 |
230,000 |
Percentage of children aged 0-5 who are orphans in 2005 |
5% |
Percentage of children aged 6-11 who are orphans in 2005 |
16% |
Percentage of children aged 12-17 who are orphans in 2005 |
25% |
Orphans in all of Sub-Saharan Africa
As a comparison to the situation in Uganda, the following data for all of Sub-Saharan Africa is contained in the 2006 UNICEF Report.
| Measurement for all of Sub-Saharan Africa | Data |
Total number of orphans in 2005 |
48,300,000 |
Projected total number of orphans in 2010 |
53,100,000 |
Percentage of children who are orphans in 2005 |
12% |
Number of orphans due to AIDS in 2005 |
12,000,000 |
Children orphaned by AIDS as a percentage of all orphans in 2005 |
25% |
Children orphaned in 2005 |
5,500,000 |
Percentage of children aged 0-5 who are orphans in 2005 |
5% |
Percentage of children aged 6-11 who are orphans in 2005 |
14% |
Percentage of children aged 12-17 who are orphans in 2005 |
21% |
Uganda Statistics
The following data for Uganda, contained in the 2006 UNICEF Report, shows the present situation in the country and explains the urgent need for assistance there.
| Measurement for Uganda | Data |
Total population 2005 |
28,800,000 |
Population of children 0-14 years in 2005 |
14,500,000 |
Under-5 mortality rate 2004 |
138 |
Estimated percentage of people living with HIV/AIDS 15-49 years 2005 |
6.7% |
Estimated number of people living with HIV/AIDS 15+ years 2005 |
900,000 |
Estimated number of children living with HIV/AIDS 0-14 years 2005 |
110,000 |
Life expectancy at birth 2000-2005 |
48 |
Reduction in life expectancy in years due to AIDS 2000-2005 |
9 |
AIDS deaths 2005 |
91,000 |
Percentage of non-orphans attending school 1998-2005 |
93% |
Percentage of orphans attending school 1998-2005 |
88% |
Percentage of birth registration 1999-2004 |
4% |
Percentage of all households that are female headed 1998-2005 |
48% |
|
Percentage of households with orphans that are female headed 1998-2005 |
27% |
Percentage of households with children that are female headed and are taking care of orphans additionally 1998-2005 |
38% |
Regional Statistics
The following statistics highlight the increasing orphan problem in Sub-Saharan Africa compared to the other main UNICEF targeted regions of Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. Sub-Saharan Africa has a considerably higher percentage of children who are orphans and this is not projected to decrease.
| Measurement for region | Data |
| Sub-Saharan Africa | |
Population aged 0-17 in 2005 |
387,000,000 |
Projected population aged 0-17 in 2010 |
427,000,000 |
Total number of orphans in 2005 |
48,300,000 |
Projected total number of orphans in 2010 |
53,100,000 |
Projected percentage of children who are orphans in 2010 |
12% |
Projected percentage of children who are orphans in 2010 |
12% |
| Asia | |
Population aged 0-17 in 2005 |
1,141,700,000 |
Projected population aged 0-17 in 2010 |
1,129,000,000 |
Total number of orphans in 2005 |
73,700,000 |
Projected total number of orphans in 2010 |
68,900,000 |
Percentage of children who are orphans in 2005 |
6% |
Projected percentage of children who are orphans in 2010 |
6% |
| Latin America and the Caribbean | |
Population aged 0-17 in 2005 |
1,722,400,000 |
Projected population aged 0-17 in 2010 |
1,750,200,000 |
Total number of orphans in 2005 |
132,700,000 |
Projected total number of orphans in 2010 |
132,200,000 |
Percentage of children who are orphans in 2005 |
8% |
Projected percentage of children who are orphans in 2010 |
8% |
Community Based Care Options
The 2006 UNICEF Report states - "To provide the best possible care for orphans and vulnerable children, much greater efforts by governments are needed to establish and promote community-based care options". The report highlights the following reasons why residential care facilities are not an appropriate primary response for orphans and vulnerable children:
High staff turnover rates make it difficult to create a caring environment.
High child-to-staff ratios that exacerbate the 'care deficit'.
Difficulties in reintegration during early adulthood, due in part to community stigma
Frequent failure to respond adequately to the psychological needs of children.
Higher costs compared to community-based care and greater challenges to scaling up.
Lack of government standards and monitoring the care provided.
Worse outcomes physically and mentally for children living in residential care facilities, as documented through research in western countries.
The charity recognises these issues and all of its projects provide community based assistance where the widest number of people can be assisted.