Kenya: jobs and pay

What is the youth unemployment rate in Kenya?

Unemployment among Kenyans aged 15 to 24 was 15.2% in 2025, according to the World Bank, using a modelled estimate from the International Labour Organization. It was 15.5% in 2024 and 15.2% in 2023. The figure is the share of young people in the labour force (working or looking for work) who have no job.

The modelled estimate allows comparison across countries. Kenya's own labour force survey is run by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, which publishes national unemployment and youth figures in its Quarterly Labour Force Report and annual Economic Survey. Many young Kenyans who are not counted as unemployed work in informal jobs, and many young people are outside the labour force because they are studying.

Official sources: World Bank: youth unemployment, Kenya (ILO modelled estimate)

What share of Kenyans are in the labour force?

67.4% of Kenyans aged 15 and over were in the labour force in 2025, either working or looking for work, according to the World Bank, using an International Labour Organization modelled estimate. The rate was 67.4% in 2024 and 67.5% in 2023. The World Bank also estimates that 63.8% of employed Kenyans were in vulnerable employment in 2025, meaning they were own-account workers or unpaid family workers rather than employees.

The participation rate counts people with any work, including informal jobs and farming, as well as those actively seeking work. The remainder are outside the labour force, mainly students, people caring for family and retired people. National figures come from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics' labour force surveys.

Official sources: World Bank: labour force participation rate, Kenya · World Bank: vulnerable employment, Kenya

What interest does NSSF pay on members' savings?

The National Social Security Fund declared a 17% return on members' savings for the 2024/2025 financial year, up from 11% the year before, according to NSSF. The rate was announced at the Fund's 8th Annual General Meeting on 6 February 2026 and is the highest in the Fund's history. Member contributions rose about 35% to KSh84 billion, and total assets grew to about KSh575 billion.

The declared rate is the interest credited to each member's account for the year, and it depends on the Fund's investment income. NSSF is the national pension scheme for workers; employers and employees both contribute under the NSSF Act 2013. Workers can check their statements on the NSSF self-service portal.

Official sources: NSSF: record 17% return headlines 8th Annual General Meeting

How much does Kenya's government spend on wages?

Kenya's national government budgeted KSh702.0 billion for wages and salaries in the 2026/27 financial year, equal to 3.4% of GDP, according to the National Treasury's Budget Summary for FY 2026/27. This compares with KSh689.3 billion in the 2025/26 supplementary budget. A further KSh39.6 billion is set aside as the government's contribution to the civil service pension scheme.

The wages line covers teachers and civil servants, including the police, paid by the national government; county government staff are paid from county budgets. Pay for state officers, such as MPs and judges, is set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission, which also advises on keeping the public wage bill sustainable.

Official sources: National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27 · Salaries and Remuneration Commission

How much has the Hustler Fund lent?

The Hustler Fund has disbursed KSh87 billion to 28 million accounts since it was set up in 2022, according to the National Treasury's Budget Statement for FY 2026/27. The Treasury says the Fund has also given 4.5 million previously unscored or blacklisted Kenyans a formal credit history for the first time.

The Hustler Fund is a government credit scheme for individuals and small businesses. The amount disbursed is cumulative since 2022, and the 28 million figure counts accounts, not distinct businesses. The Treasury's Budget Summary lists the Fund among its programmes for micro, small and medium enterprises.

Official sources: National Treasury: Budget Statement FY 2026/27 · National Treasury: Budget Summary FY 2026/27

How much is the minimum wage in Kenya?

16,033 KES a month (about $119): that is the statutory minimum wage in Kenya for 2024, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2012.

What is the average wage in Kenya?

$137 a month: that is average monthly earnings of employees in Kenya for 2019, according to the ILO. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $190 a month; Kenya is 16th highest of 19. Worldwide: 111th of 114.

What is Kenya's unemployment rate?

5.4%: that is the unemployment rate in Kenya for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.6% (2007) to 5.7% (2021). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.2%; Kenya is 22nd highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 76th highest.

How many young people in Kenya are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Kenya was 15.2% in 2025. The peak was 15.5% in 2022 and the low 6.6% in 2007. It is 16th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 8.8%. World rank, highest first: 70th of 174.

What share of people in Kenya are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate in Kenya at 67.4% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 74.4%; its low point was 2020, at 67.1%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 64.3%; Kenya is 18th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 40th highest.

What share of women in Kenya are in the labour force?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate for women in Kenya was 63.0% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 71.4%; its low point was 2020, at 62.2%. It is 16th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 27th highest.

How many people in Kenya are employed?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Kenya at 63.7% in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2016, at 72.4%; its low point was 2020, at 63.3%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 58.8%; Kenya is 17th highest of 45. Worldwide: 42nd of 174.

How common is self-employment in Kenya?

63.8%: that is the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Kenya for 2025, according to the ILO. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 64.9%; its low point was 2005, at 60.2%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 67.6%; Kenya is 26th highest of 45. Worldwide: 34th of 174.

What share of workers in Kenya earn a wage or salary?

35.2%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Kenya for 2025, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 34.0% (2005) to 38.0% (2019). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 29.0%, and Kenya placed 18th highest of 45. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 135th highest.