Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya

Kenya: Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) was 7.4% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
7.4%
Change on year
up 40.6%
World rank
71st
of 181 countries
All-time high
13.3%
in 1999
All-time low
2.9%
in 2016
Years of data
6
1999–2021

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya, 1999–2021

2.557.51012.51999201020211999: 13.32005: 10.12009: 9.42016: 2.92019: 5.32021: 7.4

Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya is 7.4%, measured in 2021.

The figure is up 40.6% on the previous year and down 21.2% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya peaked at 13.3% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 2.9%, in 2016.

That places Kenya 71st out of 181 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.

Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate) in Kenya, 1999 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1999 13.3%
2005 10.1% -24.0%
2009 9.4% -7.2%
2016 2.9% -68.8%
2019 5.3% +79.3%
2021 7.4% +40.6%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 13.3% 13.3% 13.3% 1
2000s 9.8% 9.4% 10.1% 2
2010s 4.1% 2.9% 5.3% 2
2020s 7.4% 7.4% 7.4% 1

Countries ranked near Kenya

  1. 68 Uzbekistan 7.7% compare
  2. 69 France 7.6% compare
  3. 70 Serbia 7.6% compare
  4. 72 Costa Rica 7.2% compare
  5. 73 Brazil 7.2% compare
  6. 74 Mauritius 7.1% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Kenya

All data for Kenya →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya?
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya was 7.4% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Kenya?
The highest recorded value was 13.3% in 1999.
What is the lowest unemployment, female (% of female labor force) recorded in Kenya?
The lowest recorded value was 2.9% in 2016.
How does Kenya rank for unemployment, female (% of female labor force)?
Kenya ranks 71st out of 181 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, female (% of female labor force) rising or falling in Kenya?
Over the last ten years it is down 21.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
Where does this Kenya data come from?
The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) in Kenya. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 13 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-female-percent-of-female-labor-force-national-estimate/kenya/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, female (% of female labor force) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
205 places, 5,402 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

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.