Unemployment Rate in Kenya decreased to 5.40 percent in 2024 from 5.60 percent in 2023. This dataset provides - Kenya Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Historical dataset showing Kenya unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

Kenya’s unemployment rate was 5.43 percent in 2024. This represents a steady decline from the increase after the financial crisis. What is unemployment? The unemployment rate of a country refers to the share of people who want to work but cannot find jobs. This includes workers who have lost jobs and are searching for new ones, workers whose jobs ended due to an economic downturn, and workers for whom there are no jobs because the labor supply in their industry is larger than the number of jobs available. Different statistics suggest which factors contribute to the overall unemployment rate. The Kenyan context The first type, so-called “search unemployment”, is hardest to see in the data. The closest proxy is Kenya’s inflation rate. As workers take new jobs faster, employers are forced to increase wages, leading to higher employment. Jobs lost due to economic downturns, called “cyclical unemployment”, can be seen by decreases in the GDP growth rate, which are not significant in Kenya. Finally, “structural unemployment” refers to workers changing the industry, or even economic sector, in which they are working. In Kenya, more and more workers switch to the services sector. This is often a result of urbanization, but any structural shift in the economy’s composition can lead to this unemployment.

Graph and download economic data for Youth Unemployment Rate for Kenya (SLUEM1524ZSKEN) from 1991 to 2024 about Kenya, 15 to 24 years, unemployment, and rate.

Historical dataset showing Kenya youth unemployment rate by year from 1991 to 2024.

This dataset is about countries per year in Kenya. It has 1 row and is filtered where the date is 2021. It features 4 columns: country, demonym, and unemployment.

Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 11.470 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.520 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 10.481 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.170 % in 2009 and a record low of 10.000 % in 1999. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: % of Total Labour Force 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: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Kenya KE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data was reported at 63.076 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 63.034 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 65.203 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 71.590 % in 1991 and a record low of 63.034 % in 2016. Kenya KE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+: Male 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: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15 and older are generally considered the working-age population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

The youth unemployment rate in Kenya stood at 11.93 percent in 2024. Between 1991 and 2024, the youth unemployment rate rose by 5.7 percentage points, though the increase followed an uneven trajectory rather than a consistent upward trend.

Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 26.205 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 26.251 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 21.574 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.251 % in 2016 and a record low of 19.740 % in 1992. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth: % of Total Labour Force Aged 15-24 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: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 data was reported at 33.144 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 33.148 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 data is updated yearly, averaging 27.263 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 33.148 % in 2016 and a record low of 24.392 % in 1997. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Youth Female: % of Female Labour Force Aged 15-24 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: Employment and Unemployment. Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in November 2017.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 7.876 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.938 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 7.441 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.658 % in 2009 and a record low of 6.892 % in 1999. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force 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: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force data was reported at 9.900 % in 2009. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.695 % for 1999. Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 9.900 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2009, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.560 % in 1994 and a record low of 6.695 % in 1999. Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: Male: % of Male Labour Force 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: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Abstract

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) was founded in 2006 with a mandate to collect, analyze, and disseminate statistical data. KNBS provides essential economic indicators like GDP, inflation rates, and unemployment rates, enabling informed policy decisions. Beyond economics, it supports county governments, conducts population censuses, and addresses regional challenges such as water and sanitation needs. KNBS ensures data-driven approaches to education and environmental conservation. With its commitment to reliable statistics, KNBS plays a central role in Kenya’s development journey.The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics disseminates microdata on their National Data Archive data dissemination platform, KeNADA. Datasets include household and firm-level data from surveys conducted by government agencies as well as administrative records. Datasets from 1969 to the current year are listed on the KeNADA site.

Analysis unit

Households, individuals, and establishments

Kind of data

Administrative records and survey data

Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data was reported at 9.600 % in 2009. This records a decrease from the previous number of 17.600 % for 1994. Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: % of Total Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 13.600 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2009, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 17.600 % in 1994 and a record low of 9.600 % in 2009. Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: % of Total Labour Force 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: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force data was reported at 15.286 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 15.319 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 13.830 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16.083 % in 2009 and a record low of 13.162 % in 1999. Kenya KE: Unemployment: Modeled ILO Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force 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: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force data was reported at 9.400 % in 2009. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13.337 % for 1999. Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force data is updated yearly, averaging 13.337 % from Dec 1994 (Median) to 2009, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 22.200 % in 1994 and a record low of 9.400 % in 2009. Kenya KE: Unemployment: National Estimate: Female: % of Female Labour Force 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: Employment and Unemployment. Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; The series for ILO estimates is also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.

Introduction: Persons with mental illness experience social life restriction and stigma that may have implications for their work ability. The aims of this study are (i) to report experienced and anticipated discrimination and social functioning in persons with mental disabilities in Kenya and (ii) to investigate the association between experienced and anticipated discrimination, social functioning, and employment in this population.Materials and Methods: Cross-sectional study design where we randomly recruited 72 persons with mental illness through two networks of persons with psychosocial disabilities in Kenya. Experienced and anticipated discrimination were measured using the Discrimination and Stigma Scale version 12 (DISC 12) while social functioning was measured using the Social Functioning questionnaire (SFQ).Results: Experienced discrimination was reported by 81.9% in making or keeping friends, 69.7 and 56.3% in finding or keeping job, respectively, and 63.3% in dating or having an intimate relationship. Anticipated discrimination stopped 59.2% from applying for work, 40.8% from applying for education or training courses, and 63.4% from having a close personal relationship. Females reported an overall higher experienced discrimination than males. Unemployed participants had slightly increased rates of experienced and anticipated discrimination (9.5 vs. 9.1 and 2.5 vs. 2.3, respectively) (p > 0.05), while there was a significant association between impaired social functioning and unemployment [14.0 vs. 11.2 (p = 0.037)].Conclusion: The rates of experienced and anticipated discrimination faced by persons with mental disabilities in Kenya is high and with significant gender disparity. Although no strong associations were observed between experienced and anticipated discrimination and employment, impaired social functioning of persons with mental disabilities seems to have implications for employment. Further research is essential to understand the predictors of the discrimination and measures to reduce them in persons with psychosocial disabilities.

There are over one million economic time series specifically focused on Africa in the most extensive African economic dataset available today. Our datasets consist of a blend of data sourced nationally from National Statistical Offices, Central Banks, and other national institutions, alongside international data from the IMF, World Bank, and other global organizations.

Kenya KE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ data was reported at 57.904 % in 2017. This stayed constant from the previous number of 57.904 % for 2016. Kenya KE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ data is updated yearly, averaging 59.159 % from Dec 1991 (Median) to 2017, with 27 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 66.089 % in 1991 and a record low of 57.827 % in 2009. Kenya KE: Employment To Population Ratio: Modeled ILO Estimate: Aged 15+ 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: Employment and Unemployment. Employment to population ratio is the proportion of a country's population that is employed. Employment is defined as persons of working age who, during a short reference period, were engaged in any activity to produce goods or provide services for pay or profit, whether at work during the reference period (i.e. who worked in a job for at least one hour) or not at work due to temporary absence from a job, or to working-time arrangements. Ages 15 and older are generally considered the working-age population.; ; International Labour Organization, ILOSTAT database. Data retrieved in September 2018.; Weighted average; Data up to 2016 are estimates while data from 2017 are projections. National estimates are also available in the WDI database. Caution should be used when comparing ILO estimates with national estimates.