Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya

Kenya: Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) was 8.2% in 2021. ▼ Falling

Latest (2021)
8.2%
Change on year
down 31.7%
World rank
116th
of 157 countries
All-time high
18.9%
in 2005
All-time low
7.3%
in 2016
Years of data
5
1999–2021

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya, 1999–2021

051015201999201020211999: 15.92005: 18.92016: 7.32019: 122021: 8.2

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

Analysis

The most recent figure for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya is 8.2%, measured in 2021.

Compared with earlier readings it is down 31.7% on the previous year and up 12.3% over ten years.

Over the whole period, unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya peaked at 18.9% in 2005 and was at its lowest, 7.3%, in 2016.

Kenya ranks 116th of 157 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya, year by year

Annual values for Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate) in Kenya, 1999 to 2021.
Year Value Change
1999 15.9%
2005 18.9% +18.5%
2016 7.3% -61.4%
2019 12.0% +64.3%
2021 8.2% -31.7%

Kenya compared with similar countries

  • Kenya's 8.2% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 8.6%, 95% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
  • Kenya's 8.2% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 8.6%, 95% of the median. (26 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1990s 15.9% 15.9% 15.9% 1
2000s 18.9% 18.9% 18.9% 1
2010s 9.6% 7.3% 12.0% 2
2020s 8.2% 8.2% 8.2% 1

Countries ranked near Kenya

  1. 113 Faroe Islands 8.4% compare
  2. 114 Switzerland 8.3% compare
  3. 115 Samoa 8.3% compare
  4. 117 Rwanda 7.8% compare
  5. 118 Jamaica 7.8% compare
  6. 119 Peru 7.8% compare

See the full ranking of 178 places →

More work & labour data for Kenya

All data for Kenya →

Frequently asked questions

What is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya?
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya was 8.2% in 2021, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
What is the highest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Kenya?
The highest recorded value was 18.9% in 2005.
What is the lowest unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Kenya?
The lowest recorded value was 7.3% in 2016.
How does Kenya rank for unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24)?
Kenya ranks 116th out of 157 countries with data for 2021.
Is unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Kenya?
Over the last ten years it is up 12.3%. 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, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) in Kenya. Statizoid, drawing on Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO). Retrieved 18 September 2026, from https://labour.statizoid.com/stat/unemployment-youth-male-percent-of-male-labor-force-ages-15-24-national-estimate/kenya/

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About this data

Indicator
Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate)
Source
Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO)
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (World Bank Open Data)
Coverage
178 places, 4,082 data points, 1960–2025
Last refreshed

Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.