Cash grants drive youth entrepreneurship in Uganda
$400 grants to young Ugandans increased work hours by 17% and earnings by 38% after four years.
University of Chicago / NBER, 2020
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© 2026 Social Income · Registered Non-Profit in Switzerland
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© 2026 Social Income · Registered Non-Profit in Switzerland
Starting a business takes capital, time, and the ability to fail without starving. In extreme poverty, none of those exist. Steady, monthly income gives aspiring entrepreneurs a foundation to take the first step.
$400 grants to young Ugandans increased work hours by 17% and earnings by 38% after four years.
University of Chicago / NBER, 2020
Read studyGovernment cash transfer programs in Malawi and Zambia led households to expand agricultural microenterprises, with adults reallocating labor and hiring workers to grow their businesses.
UNICEF / University of North Carolina, 2020
Read studyA $300 grant to underemployed Ethiopian youth increased self-employment earnings in the first year, showing that even small amounts can unlock entrepreneurial activity.
University of Chicago / University of Oxford, 2022
Read studyHow recipients use their Social Income
Explore Survey ResultsQuestion 1 (Multiple choice)
229 responses in 249 surveys
Follow-up question for 144 individuals who selected more than one category
144 responses in 249 surveys
Question 2 (Single choice)
393 responses in 400 surveys
Follow-up question for 364 individuals who said Yes
364 responses in 400 surveys
Question 3 (Single choice)
391 responses in 400 surveys
Question 4 (Single choice)
376 responses in 400 surveys
Question 5 (Single choice)
141 responses in 400 surveys
Question 6 (Single choice)
396 responses in 400 surveys
Follow-up question for 114 individuals who said Not employed
114 responses in 400 surveys
Question 7 (Single choice)
396 responses in 400 surveys
Question 8 (Single choice)
142 responses in 400 surveys
Follow-up question for 68 individuals who said Yes
68 responses in 400 surveys
Follow-up question for 40 individuals who said Yes
40 responses in 400 surveys
Question 9 (Single choice)
396 responses in 400 surveys
Question 10 (Single choice)
397 responses in 400 surveys
Question 11 (Single choice)
276 responses in 279 surveys
Follow-up question for 78 individuals who said Yes
78 responses in 279 surveys
Question 12 (Single choice)
277 responses in 279 surveys
Follow-up question for 70 individuals who said Yes
70 responses in 279 surveys
Question 13 (Single choice)
277 responses in 279 surveys
Question 14 (Free text)
27 responses in 30 surveys
Question 15 (Free text)
229 responses in 249 surveys
Question 16 (Single choice)
108 responses in 121 surveys
Question 17 (Free text)
47 responses in 50 surveys
Question 18 (Single choice)
47 responses in 50 surveys
Follow-up question for 17 individuals who said No
17 responses in 50 surveys
Question 19 (Single choice)
47 responses in 50 surveys
Follow-up question for 47 individuals who said Yes
0 responses in 50 surveys
Follow-up question for 0 individuals who said No
0 responses in 50 surveys
Question 20 (Single choice)
115 responses in 121 surveys
Food
71.2%
Education
63.8%
Housing
42.8%
Health care
41.0%
Transportation
32.8%
Savings
12.2%
Investment
10.5%
food
94.4%
education
79.2%
housing
63.9%
healthCare
63.2%
mobility
50.0%
saving
18.1%
investment
8.3%
3-4
38.2%
5-7
33.5%
1-2
17.6%
8-10
8.8%
more than 10
1.9%
Married
40.2%
Widowed
26.9%
Never married
23.8%
Separated
6.9%
Divorced
2.3%
Western Area Urban
45.2%
Western Area Rural
35.4%
Eastern Province
10.1%
Southern Province
6.6%
Northern Province
2.4%
North West Province
0.3%
Self-employed
56.3%
Not employed
28.8%
Employed
11.4%
Retired
3.5%
27 text responses collected.
229 text responses collected.
47 text responses collected.
17 text responses collected.
No text responses yet.
No text responses yet.
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