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

Kenya: Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) was 3.8% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
3.8%
Change on year
down 19.9%
World rank
112th
of 181 countries
All-time high
9.9%
in 2009
All-time low
2.6%
in 2016
Years of data
6
1999–2021

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

2468101999201020211999: 6.72005: 9.82009: 9.92016: 2.62019: 4.82021: 3.8

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

Analysis

Kenya recorded 3.8% for unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in 2021.

The figure is down 19.9% on the previous year and down 61.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Kenya peaked at 9.9% in 2009 and was at its lowest, 2.6%, in 2016.

Kenya ranks 112th of 181 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

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

Annual values for Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate) in Kenya, 1999 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1999 6.7%
2005 9.8% +46.5%
2009 9.9% +0.9%
2016 2.6% -73.9%
2019 4.8% +85.2%
2021 3.8% -19.9%

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 6.7% 6.7% 6.7% 1
2000s 9.9% 9.8% 9.9% 2
2010s 3.7% 2.6% 4.8% 2
2020s 3.8% 3.8% 3.8% 1

Countries ranked near Kenya

  1. 109 Uzbekistan 3.9% compare
  2. 110 Paraguay 3.9% compare
  3. 111 Trinidad and Tobago 3.9% compare
  4. 113 Malaysia 3.8% compare
  5. 113 Netherlands 3.8% compare
  6. 115 Mauritius 3.8% compare

See the full ranking of 205 places →

More work & labour data for Kenya

All data for Kenya →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Kenya?
Unemployment, male (% of male labor force) in Kenya was 3.8% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Kenya?
The highest recorded value was 9.9% in 2009.
What is the lowest unemployment, male (% of male labor force) recorded in Kenya?
The lowest recorded value was 2.6% in 2016.
How does Kenya rank for unemployment, male (% of male labor force)?
Kenya ranks 112th out of 181 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, male (% of male labor force) rising or falling in Kenya?
Over the last ten years it is down 61.3%. 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, male (% of male labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, male (% of male 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-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-national-estimate/kenya/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, male (% of male 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, 5,415 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.