KEN Kenya profile

Governing institutions show both formal strength and persistent weaknesses. Devolution has expanded local authority but has also generated intergovernmental frictions and uneven implementation. Patronage and political patronage networks influence public appointments, procurement, and policy continuity, reducing merit-based decision making. Corruption remains a challenge, eroding trust and weakening service delivery, even as reforms and oversight mechanisms are pursued. Elections are competitive, yet the political environment can be polarized, and civil liberties face pressures in periods of tension. Security agencies operate in a complex landscape of crime, terrorism threats, and communal tensions, at times raising concerns about accountability and human rights. Administrative capacity across ministries and counties is uneven, affecting policy coherence, planning, and the efficiency of public services.

Colonial history Colonized by Britain
Former colonizer United Kingdom
Government type Presidential Republic
Legal system Common law system, with some elements of customary law
Political stability Moderate, with periodic unrest and political challenges

The economy relies on a mix of agriculture, services, and a developing manufacturing base, but productivity gains are uneven and vulnerability to climate and external shocks remains high. The informal sector absorbs much of the workforce, limiting tax revenue and social protection coverage. Investment in industry and value addition faces policy inconsistency, regulatory bottlenecks, and procurement inefficiencies. Public debt dynamics and fiscal pressure constrain long term planning, while inflation and cost of living pressures affect households and business competitiveness. Tourism and export performance are tied to security perceptions and global demand, creating exposure to external cycles. Digital finance and technology sectors are bright spots, yet regional disparities in access to finance, markets, and infrastructure persist.

Currency name Kenyan Shilling (KES)
Economic system Mixed economy
Informal economy presence Significant informal economy
Key industries Agriculture, Tourism, Manufacturing, Services
Trade orientation Import and export-focused with various trade partners

Kenya presents a varied landscape with highland areas, arid zones, and a coastline that shapes livelihoods and risks. Climate change amplifies droughts, floods, and rainfall variability, testing resilience of farmers and urban systems. Land use pressure, soil degradation, and water scarcity challenge sustainable agriculture and housing development. Human-wildlife conflict, biodiversity protection, and conservation policies intersect with community needs and tourism pressures. Urban expansion risks informal settlements, inadequate drainage, and environmental degradation without robust planning. Coastal and riverine ecosystems face pollution, erosion, and watershed management challenges, requiring integrated governance and cross sector collaboration.

Bordering countries Uganda, Tanzania, South Sudan, Ethiopia, Somalia, Ghana
Climate type Tropical
Continent Africa
Environmental Issues Deforestation, Poaching, Pollution, Climate change effects
Landlocked No
Natural Hazards Droughts, Flooding, Landslides
Natural resources Agricultural land, Wildlife, Minerals (soda ash, limestone), Water resources
Terrain type Savannah, Mountains, Coastline

Societal dynamics reflect ethnic diversity, urbanization, and a growing youthful population, with inclusion and equity as ongoing priorities. Access to quality education and healthcare remains uneven, influenced by geography, income, and social norms. Gender equality progress is evident in policy and participation, yet practical barriers persist in politics, business, and rural life. Crime, insecurity, and corruption can undermine public confidence and social cohesion, particularly in marginalized communities. Social protection programs exist but gaps remain in reach and effectiveness, leaving vulnerable groups exposed to shocks. Migration and refugee considerations add complexity to social services and local communities.

Cultural heritage Rich cultural diversity with various ethnic groups, music, dance, and art
Driving side Left
Education system type Formal education system with primary, secondary, and higher education institutions
Ethnic composition Multiple ethnic groups including Kikuyu, Luo, Luhya, Kalenjin, Maasai, and others
Family structure Extended families are common, with a strong emphasis on community
Healthcare model Mixed model with both public and private healthcare providers
Major religions Christianity, Islam, Traditional African religions
Official languages Swahili, English

Infrastructure development targets connectivity, energy reliability, and trade logistics, but maintenance and governance gaps limit impact. Transport networks extend access yet efficiency and reliability vary by region. Energy supply is expanding, though affordability and resilience to outages remain concerns. Digital connectivity grows, enabling mobile banking, e-commerce, and online services, but the digital divide persists between urban and rural areas. E governance and digital public services are advancing, alongside emerging cybersecurity and data governance needs. Innovation ecosystems exist through startups and research institutions, but skills shortages and uneven private sector investment constrain scaling. Procurement, project oversight, and long term maintenance require stronger institutional controls to translate investment into lasting benefits.

Internet censorship level Moderate
Tech innovation level Growing tech innovation scene, particularly in mobile technology and fintech
Transport system type Developing transport network including roads, railways, and airports

Development indicators

Indicator Year Value Rank 5Y Rank Change
Military expenditure (current US$) 2023 999,541,976 77 +8
Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism 2023 -0.938 168 -7
Regulatory Quality 2023 -0.391 121 +7
Rule of Law 2023 -0.326 117 -8
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) 2021 5.69 60 -50
Birth rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 27.1 43 -5
Death rate, crude (per 1,000 people) 2023 7.21 95 -3
Exports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2024 11.1 126 -48
GDP per capita (current US$) 2024 2,206 145 -22
GDP per capita, PPP (current international US$) 2024 6,619 141 -17
High-technology exports (current US$) 2023 60,148,845 89 +1
Imports of goods and services (% of GDP) 2024 19.2 125 -44
Inflation, consumer prices (annual %) 2024 4.49 47 +14
Life expectancy at birth, total (years) 2023 63.6 196 +8
Mortality rate, under-5 (per 1,000 live births) 2023 39.9 39 -10
Net migration 2024 -19,781 169 -29
Patent applications, residents 2021 160 56 -4
Population, total 2024 56,432,944 26 -2
Poverty headcount ratio at national poverty lines (% of population) 2021 38.6 8
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) 2022 34.5 11 -9
Renewable energy consumption (% of total final energy consumption) 2021 67.7 28 -3
Research and development expenditure (% of GDP) 2023 0.809 5
Foreign direct investment, net inflows (% of GDP) 2023 0.675 141 -8
Current account balance (% of GDP) 2023 -4 122 -8
Level of water stress: freshwater withdrawal as a proportion of available freshwater resources 2021 33.2 51 +3
Total greenhouse gas emissions excluding LULUCF per capita (t CO2e/capita) 2023 1.95 149 -10
Current health expenditure (% of GDP) 2022 4.33 146 -9
Domestic general government health expenditure per capita, PPP (current international US$) 2022 116 138 -5
Physicians (per 1,000 people) 2022 0.102 51
Suicide mortality rate (per 100,000 population) 2021 4.58 129 +4
Individuals using the Internet (% of population) 2023 35 127 -16
Control of Corruption 2023 -0.771 147 -10
Government Effectiveness 2023 -0.304 118 -10

Demography and Health

Kenya's population stood at about 56,432,944 in 2024, making it one of Africa's most populous countries. The country records a birth rate of 27.1 per 1,000 people in 2023 and a crude death rate of 7.21 per 1,000 people in 2023, with life expectancy at birth at 63.6 years in 2023. The under-5 mortality rate is 39.9 per 1,000 live births (2023), signaling persistent child-health challenges even as vaccination and disease control progress. The population is predominantly young, offering a potential demographic dividend if health outcomes, education, and job creation keep pace with growth. Yet, substantial poverty persists—38.6% of the population lived in poverty in 2021—and 34.5% were undernourished in 2022, underscoring vulnerability to health shocks and nutrition deficits. Health financing remains constrained: current health expenditure is 4.33% of GDP (2022) and domestic government health expenditure per capita, PPP, is 116 international dollars (2022). The health workforce is lean, with physicians at 0.102 per 1,000 people (2022), signaling significant gaps in access to care. The suicide mortality rate stands at 4.58 per 100,000 people (2021). Taken together, the data point to a need for intensified investment in primary health care, nutrition, maternal and child health, and a stronger health workforce to support a rapidly growing population.

Economy

Kenya's economy shows a lower-middle-income profile with GDP per capita of 2,206 current US$ in 2024 and GDP per capita, PPP of 6,619 international US$ (2024), indicating substantial gains but a sizable productivity gap relative to advanced economies. Inflation is about 4.49% in 2024, suggesting moderate price growth, while unemployment is 5.69% in 2021, though informality and underemployment are important considerations in interpreting the headline rate. The export base remains modest, with exports of goods and services at 11.1% of GDP in 2024 and imports at 19.2% of GDP, implying reliance on external inputs for domestic production. The current account balance is -4.0% of GDP in 2023, signaling a modest external deficit financed by capital flows. Kenya shows capability in knowledge-intensive activity: high-technology exports amount to 60.15 million USD (2023) and research and development expenditure equals 0.809% of GDP (2023). Foreign direct investment net inflows stand at 0.675% of GDP (2023), indicating ongoing external interest but ample room to attract larger, higher-quality investment. Persistent poverty, at 38.6% of the population in 2021, and a high prevalence of undernourishment (34.5% in 2022) highlight the imperative that macro gains translate into broad-based gains for households and nutrition.

Trade and Investment

Kenya's external transactions reveal a trade profile where exports of goods and services represent 11.1% of GDP in 2024, while imports account for 19.2% of GDP, suggesting a consumption-oriented economy with substantial import needs for inputs and capital goods. The current account balance stands at -4.0% of GDP in 2023, indicating a moderate external deficit that requires sustained capital inflows or changes in the trade mix to improve resilience. Foreign direct investment net inflows are 0.675% of GDP in 2023, reflecting continued external interest but leaving substantial headroom to deepen investment in tradable sectors and domestic capabilities. Net migration in 2024 shows a outflow of 19,781 people, which can influence labor supply and domestic demand. Taken together, these indicators imply that while Kenya is integrated into global trade and investment networks, strengthening export performance, value addition, and the investment climate will be critical to broader, inclusive growth.

Governance and Institutions

Kenya's governance indicators reveal notable challenges: Political Stability and Absence of Violence/Terrorism is -0.938 (2023) with a rank of 168, Regulatory Quality -0.391 (2023) rank 121, Rule of Law -0.326 (2023) rank 117, Control of Corruption -0.771 (2023) rank 147, and Government Effectiveness -0.304 (2023) rank 118. These negative values suggest perceived weaknesses in political stability, regulatory environments, legal enforcement, and corruption control, which can raise risk for investment and public service delivery. On the other hand, Kenya shows evidence of a growing knowledge economy, with R&D expenditure at 0.809% of GDP (2023) and residents filing 160 patent applications (2021), signaling potential for innovation-led growth. The overall governance picture indicates that improvements in transparency, rule of law, and institutional quality could unlock higher investment, productivity, and inclusive development—precisely the mix of reforms many observers advocate for sustained progress.

Infrastructure and Technology

Kenya's infrastructure and technology landscape shows a developing yet uneven picture. Internet usage stands at 35.0% of the population in 2023, pointing to a digital divide between urban and rural areas and a need for broader connectivity. High-technology exports total 60,148,845 USD (2023), indicating pockets of advanced production and a base for deeper tech integration. Resident patent applications number 160 in 2021, reflecting limited domestic innovation activity relative to peers but room to grow. R&D expenditure amounts to 0.809% of GDP (2023), signaling policy priority on science and technology, yet with substantial headroom for investment to translate into productivity gains. Overall, Kenya's infrastructure and technology landscape hints at growth potential if connectivity, research ecosystems, and broader adoption of technologies are scaled up and supported by a favorable regulatory and investment climate.

Environment and Sustainability

Kenya demonstrates notable progress in clean energy integration, with renewable energy consumption accounting for 67.7% of total final energy consumption in 2021, underscoring strong momentum toward sustainable energy sources. However, water security remains a concern, as freshwater withdrawal is 33.2% of available resources (2021), highlighting the need for resilient water management and climate adaptation. Per capita greenhouse gas emissions total 1.95 t CO2e (2023), a relatively low footprint by global standards but likely to rise with development, stressing the importance of continued emissions reductions and green growth strategies. The prevalence of undernourishment and other vulnerabilities interacts with environmental pressures, making investments in sustainable agriculture, water resources, and climate resilience essential for long-term prosperity. Taken together, Kenya appears to be a regional leader in renewable energy, while needing sustained attention to water security, climate adaptation, and emissions trajectories to ensure inclusive and sustainable growth.