Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Kenya
Kenya: Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 was 59.4% in 2021. ▬ Flat
Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Kenya, 1999–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2021, female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Kenya stood at 59.4%.
The figure is down 0.4% on the previous year and down 16.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Kenya peaked at 71.1% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 50.9%, in 2005.
Kenya ranks 36th of 172 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Kenya, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 61.0% | — |
| 2005 | 50.9% | -16.6% |
| 2009 | 71.1% | +39.6% |
| 2016 | 69.4% | -2.4% |
| 2019 | 59.6% | -14.1% |
| 2021 | 59.4% | -0.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 61.0% | 61.0% | 61.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 61.0% | 50.9% | 71.1% | 2 |
| 2010s | 64.5% | 59.6% | 69.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 59.4% | 59.4% | 59.4% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More work & labour data for Kenya
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.0278 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.0507 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.0073 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate 0.2281 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 2.98 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 44,185 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 51,282 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 53,727 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 50,468 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 104,196 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Kenya?
- Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 in Kenya was 59.4% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 71.1% in 2009.
- What is the lowest female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 50.9% in 2005.
- How does Kenya rank for female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024?
- Kenya ranks 36th out of 172 countries with data for 2021.
- Is female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024 rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 16.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Female employment rate, 1980 vs. 2024. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
Share of the female working-age population who are employed. Figures refer to national estimates and may not be fully comparable across countries.