Labor force participation rate by age in Kenya
Kenya: Labor force participation rate by age was 35.6% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate by age in Kenya, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate by age in Kenya is 35.6%, measured in 2024. That is the lowest value across all 35 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 2.2% on the previous year and down 21.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Kenya peaked at 53.1% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 35.6%, in 2024.
Kenya ranks 113th of 188 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 51.0% | 48.9% | 53.1% | 10 |
| 2000s | 47.7% | 46.7% | 48.7% | 10 |
| 2010s | 44.1% | 37.7% | 46.4% | 10 |
| 2020s | 36.2% | 35.6% | 36.6% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More work & labour data for Kenya
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 67.4% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 71.8% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 87.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 63.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 68.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 72.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 63.8% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate by age in Kenya?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Kenya was 35.6% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 53.1% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 35.6% in 2024.
- How does Kenya rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Kenya ranks 113th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 21.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).