Economy, jobs and prices in Embu, Kenya: official figures
Embu's economy (Gross County Product) was worth KSh 187.9 billion in 2022 at current prices, 1.5% of the 47 counties' combined KSh 12.29 trillion, or about KSh 292,700 per resident; 4th highest of Kenya's 47 counties per person (all counties: KSh 242,700).
How much do households in Embu spend?
Households in Embu spent an average of KSh 7,486 a month per adult equivalent on food and other goods in 2022, 13th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: KSh 8,030); food took 58.0% of spending.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Embu have work?
63.8% of women and 82.1% of men aged 15-49 in Embu were working when surveyed in 2022 (Kenya: 52.4% and 77.1%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF) · saved copyDo people in Embu use mobile money and the internet?
86.5% of women aged 15-49 in Embu had used a bank account or a mobile phone for money transactions in the previous year and 86.8% owned a mobile phone (2022; Kenya: 79.3% and 77.5%); 31.9% had used the internet in the previous year (Kenya: 44.2%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF) · saved copyHow many homes in Embu have electricity?
53.4% of Embu's 199,046 households got their lighting from the national electricity grid in the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey, 17th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 57.7%); 36.6% relied on solar panels or solar-charged lamps.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Embu have piped water?
60.2% of households in Embu had piped water in 2023/24, 11th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 44.9%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyDo people in Embu own or rent their homes?
78.9% of households in Embu owned their home in 2023/24 and 19.7% paid rent (Kenya: 61.3% and 33.4%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- Its output grew 25.4% in money terms between 2020 and 2022, before allowing for inflation (all counties: 24.6%). Source: Commission on Revenue Allocation · saved copy
How Embu compares with other counties
Gross County Product per person, current prices (2022)
Embu ranks 4 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross County Product per person, current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nairobi City | KSh 723,300 |
| 2 | Mombasa | KSh 439,400 |
| 3 | Nyeri | KSh 293,900 |
| 4 | Embu | KSh 292,700 |
| 5 | Nyandarua | KSh 290,500 |
| 6 | Kiambu | KSh 277,200 |
| 7 | Nakuru | KSh 261,200 |
Monthly consumption per adult equivalent (2022)
Embu ranks 13 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Monthly consumption per adult equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Lamu | KSh 7,936 |
| 11 | Nyeri | KSh 7,649 |
| 12 | Tharaka-Nithi | KSh 7,513 |
| 13 | Embu | KSh 7,486 |
| 14 | Kisii | KSh 7,465 |
| 15 | Machakos | KSh 7,424 |
| 16 | Laikipia | KSh 7,384 |
Households lit by the national grid (2023/24)
Embu ranks 17 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households lit by the national grid |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Kisii | 55.0% |
| 15 | Nyamira | 54.5% |
| 16 | Laikipia | 53.8% |
| 17 | Embu | 53.4% |
| 18 | Lamu | 52.3% |
| 19 | Tharaka-Nithi | 52.3% |
| 20 | Meru | 52.2% |
More on Embu: overview · health · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · Kenya
Sources
- Commission on Revenue Allocation: Recommendation concerning the Fourth Basis for Revenue Sharing among County Governments, FY 2025/26-2029/30: Table 2-7 and Appendix I (KNBS census, poverty and Gross County Product data), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 76961d1ebf71…)
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics and Ministry of Health (with ICF): Kenya Demographic and Health Survey 2022, Volume 1: county tables (C tables), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 202dd70451a0…)
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey Basic Report: Tables 3.6, 5.10 and 5.18 by county, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 52fcb74800ea…)
- Kenya National Bureau of Statistics: The Kenya Poverty Report 2022 (2022 Kenya Continuous Household Survey): Tables 3.2 and 4.6, Annex Tables A1, B1, C1 and E.2, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e3298f81209a…)
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