The total population of Kenya was estimated at approximately 52.44 million people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by around 36.72 million people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by around 5.54 million people, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

The total population in Kenya was estimated at 52.4 million people in 2024, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Kenya Population - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Historical chart and dataset showing total population for Kenya by year from 1950 to 2025.

Kenya KE: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 56.522 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 56.147 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 48.868 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.522 % in 2017 and a record low of 46.680 % in 1982. Kenya KE: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Male population between the ages 15 to 64 as a percentage of the total male population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;

While the East African region, including Kenya, is one of first regions believed to have modern humans inhabit it, population growth in the region remained slow to non-existent throughout the 19th century; in the past hundred years, however, Kenya’s population has seen an exponential increase in size, going from 2.65 million in 1920, to an estimated 53.77 million in 2020.

Along with this population growth, Kenya has seen rapid urbanization and industrialization, particularly in recent decades. The metropolitan area of Kenya’s capital, Nairobi, with an estimated population of 9.35 million in 2020, now contains on its own over three and a half times the population of the entire country just a century earlier.

Population, female (% of total population) in Kenya was reported at 50.28 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 70-74, female (% of female population) in Kenya was reported at 0.81483 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Population ages 70-74, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Kenya KE: Population: Total data was reported at 49,699,862.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 48,461,567.000 Person for 2016. Kenya KE: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 22,252,232.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 49,699,862.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 8,105,440.000 Person in 1960. Kenya KE: Population: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision. (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.

Key information about Kenya population

• The Kenya population reached 51.5 million people in Dec 2023, compared with the previously reported figure of 50.6 million people in Dec 2022
• The data reached an all-time high of 51.5 million people in Dec 2023 and a record low of 6.1 million people in Dec 1950

• In the latest reports, Kenya Unemployment Rate increased to 3.0 % in Dec 2020
• Monthly earnings of the Kenya population was 590.5 USD in Jun 2023
• Kenya Labour Force Participation Rate increased to 73.7 % in Dec 2023

Results of Kenya's 6th National Census i.e The 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census Volume I, II, III, and IV reports.

Kikuyu was the largest ethnic group in Kenya, accounting for ** percent of the country's population in 2019. Native to Central Kenya, the Kikuyu constitute a Bantu group with more than eight million people. The groups Luhya and Kalenjin followed, with respective shares of **** percent and **** percent of the population. Overall, Kenya has more than 40 ethnic groups.

Abstract

IPUMS-International is an effort to inventory, preserve, harmonize, and disseminate census microdata from around the world. The project has collected the world's largest archive of publicly available census samples. The data are coded and documented consistently across countries and over time to facillitate comparative research. IPUMS-International makes these data available to qualified researchers free of charge through a web dissemination system.

The IPUMS project is a collaboration of the Minnesota Population Center, National Statistical Offices, and international data archives. Major funding is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Additional support is provided by the University of Minnesota Office of the Vice President for Research, the Minnesota Population Center, and Sun Microsystems.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

Households

UNITS IDENTIFIED: - Dwellings: No - Households: Yes

UNIT DESCRIPTIONS: - Group quarters: Group quarters consist of schools/colleges, barracks, prisons, hospitals and other institutions.

Universe

All persons who spent the Census Night in

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

MICRODATA SOURCE: Constructed by census agency.

SAMPLE DESIGN: Systematic sample of every tenth household.

SAMPLE FRACTION: 10%

SAMPLE UNIVERSE: The microdata sample includes conventional households, unconventional households (i.e. group quarters and those included in special populations), and households in refugee camps.

SAMPLE SIZE (person records): 3,841,935

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

A long form was used to enumerate individuals in private households and in institutions such as schools, colleges, barracks, prisons, and hospitals. The long form includes both individual and housing characteristics. A greatly abbreviated form was used for persons in transit or who slept outdoors, in hotels or boarding houses.

Kenya KE: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data was reported at 9.202 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 9.138 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 8.733 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.180 % in 2006 and a record low of 6.789 % in 1965. Kenya KE: Population: Female: Ages 20-24: % of Female Population data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Kenya – Table KE.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Female population between the ages 20 to 24 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;

Population ages 65 and above, male (% of male population) in Kenya was reported at 2.531 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Population ages 65 and above, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Kenya (SPPOPGROWKEN) from 1961 to 2024 about Kenya, population, and rate.

Population ages 80 and above, male (% of male population) in Kenya was reported at 0.33957 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Population ages 80 and above, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population density (people per sq. km of land area) in Kenya was reported at 95.32 sq. Km in 2022, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Kenya - Population density (people per sq. km) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

As of 2024, the median age in Kenya reached **** years. The indicator has been increasing in the country, which indicates declining fertility rates and/or improvements in life expectancy. In 2015, the median age in Kenya stood by **** years.

Graph and download economic data for Population, Total for Kenya (POPTOTKEA647NWDB) from 1960 to 2024 about Kenya and population.

Abstract

The Population and Housing Census 1969, has been done after years, the previous one done in 1962. it is a de jure analysis of Kenyan households covering all individuals present.

Geographic coverage

it covers the whoe country

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Mode of data collection

face to face