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Kenya · Employment & wages

Unemployment, participation, employment, youth, wages and hours.

19 indicators · 12 with data

Unemployment

Unemployment

% of labour force

104th of 185 · 24th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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UnemploymentKenya's unemployment rose from 2.8 % in 1996 to 5.4 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%2%4%6%5.4 %

Kenya's unemployment rose from 2.8 % in 1996 to 5.4 % in 2025.

Youth unemployment

% of labour force ages 15–24

111th of 183 · 30th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Youth unemploymentKenya's youth unemployment rose from 6.4 % in 1996 to 15.2 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020250%5%10%15%20%15.2 %

Kenya's youth unemployment rose from 6.4 % in 1996 to 15.2 % in 2025.

Participation

Participation

% of population ages 15+

41st of 182 · 18th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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ParticipationKenya's participation fell from 72.6 % in 1996 to 67.4 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202566%68%70%72%74%76%67.4 %

Kenya's participation fell from 72.6 % in 1996 to 67.4 % in 2025.

Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)

% of female population ages 15+

28th of 182 · 16th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+)Kenya's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 70.2 % in 1996 to 63.0 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202560%62%64%66%68%70%72%63.0 %

Kenya's labour force participation rate, female (ages 15+) fell from 70.2 % in 1996 to 63.0 % in 2025.

Employment

Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)

% of population ages 15+

43rd of 182 · 17th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment to population ratio (ages 15+)Kenya's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 70.6 % in 1996 to 63.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202562%64%66%68%70%72%74%63.7 %

Kenya's employment to population ratio (ages 15+) fell from 70.6 % in 1996 to 63.7 % in 2025.

Labour force, total

people

29th of 182 · 6th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Labour force, totalKenya's labour force, total rose from 10.4M in 1996 to 24.7M in 2025.2000200520102015202020255M10M15M20M25M30M24.7M

Kenya's labour force, total rose from 10.4M in 1996 to 24.7M in 2025.

Self-employed (% of total employment)

% of employment

40th of 182 · 28th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Self-employed (% of total employment)Kenya's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 67.2 % in 1996 to 64.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202562%64%66%68%64.8 %

Kenya's self-employed (% of total employment) fell from 67.2 % in 1996 to 64.8 % in 2025.

Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)

% of employment

149th of 182 · 20th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Vulnerable employment (% of total employment)Kenya's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 59.6 % in 1996 to 63.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202558%60%62%64%66%63.8 %

Kenya's vulnerable employment (% of total employment) rose from 59.6 % in 1996 to 63.8 % in 2025.

Structure

Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)

% of employment

27th of 182 · 21st in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in agriculture (% of total employment)Kenya's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 60.8 % in 1996 to 45.8 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202540%45%50%55%60%65%45.8 %

Kenya's employment in agriculture (% of total employment) fell from 60.8 % in 1996 to 45.8 % in 2025.

Employment in industry (% of total employment)

% of employment

154th of 182 · 27th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in industry (% of total employment)Kenya's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 10.3 % in 1996 to 12.5 % in 2025.2000200520102015202020259%10%11%12%13%12.5 %

Kenya's employment in industry (% of total employment) rose from 10.3 % in 1996 to 12.5 % in 2025.

Employment in services (% of total employment)

% of employment

148th of 182 · 22nd in Sub-Saharan Africa
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Employment in services (% of total employment)Kenya's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 28.9 % in 1996 to 41.7 % in 2025.20002005201020152020202525%30%35%40%45%41.7 %

Kenya's employment in services (% of total employment) rose from 28.9 % in 1996 to 41.7 % in 2025.

Productivity

GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)

constant 2021 PPP $

135th of 168 · 18th in Sub-Saharan Africa
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GDP per person employed (constant 2021 PPP $)Kenya's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $10.6k in 1996 to intl $14.8k in 2025.200020052010201520202025intl $10kintl $12kintl $14kintl $16kintl $14.8k

Kenya's gdp per person employed (constant 2021 ppp $) rose from intl $10.6k in 1996 to intl $14.8k in 2025.

›No data available (7)

These indicators exist in the registry but no source reports a value for Kenya.

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