Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kenya
Kenya: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 5.6% in 2021. ▼ Falling
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kenya, 1999–2021
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Kenya recorded 5.6% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2021.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 11.4% on the previous year and down 41.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kenya peaked at 10.0% in 1999 and was at its lowest, 2.8%, in 2016.
That places Kenya 90th out of 187 countries with data for 2021, putting it in the middle of the range.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1999 | 10.0% | — |
| 2005 | 10.0% | -0.5% |
| 2009 | 9.6% | -3.6% |
| 2016 | 2.8% | -71.3% |
| 2019 | 5.0% | +81.9% |
| 2021 | 5.6% | +11.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 10.0% | 10.0% | 10.0% | 1 |
| 2000s | 9.8% | 9.6% | 10.0% | 2 |
| 2010s | 3.9% | 2.8% | 5.0% | 2 |
| 2020s | 5.6% | 5.6% | 5.6% | 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 unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kenya?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Kenya was 5.6% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 10.0% in 1999.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 2.8% in 2016.
- How does Kenya rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Kenya ranks 90th out of 187 countries with data for 2021.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 41.8%. 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, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
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.