Economy, jobs and prices in Kwale, Kenya: official figures
Kwale's economy (Gross County Product) was worth KSh 151.4 billion in 2022 at current prices, 1.2% of the 47 counties' combined KSh 12.29 trillion, or about KSh 164,000 per resident; 21st lowest of Kenya's 47 counties per person (all counties: KSh 242,700).
How much do households in Kwale spend?
Households in Kwale spent an average of KSh 6,110 a month per adult equivalent on food and other goods in 2022, 17th lowest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: KSh 8,030); food took 65.4% of spending.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Kwale have work?
23.7% of women and 69.5% of men aged 15-49 in Kwale 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 Kwale use mobile money and the internet?
66.9% of women aged 15-49 in Kwale had used a bank account or a mobile phone for money transactions in the previous year and 63.8% owned a mobile phone (2022; Kenya: 79.3% and 77.5%); 26.8% 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 Kwale have electricity?
55.0% of Kwale's 183,739 households got their lighting from the national electricity grid in the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey, joint 13th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 57.7%); 38.6% relied on solar panels or solar-charged lamps.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Kwale have piped water?
33.9% of households in Kwale had piped water in 2023/24, 24th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 44.9%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyDo people in Kwale own or rent their homes?
72.3% of households in Kwale owned their home in 2023/24 and 19.9% paid rent (Kenya: 61.3% and 33.4%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- Its output grew 27.2% in money terms between 2020 and 2022, before allowing for inflation (all counties: 24.6%). Source: Commission on Revenue Allocation · saved copy
How Kwale compares with other counties
Gross County Product per person, current prices (2022)
Kwale ranks 27 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross County Product per person, current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 24 | Trans Nzoia | KSh 181,600 |
| 25 | Narok | KSh 173,800 |
| 26 | Kilifi | KSh 164,600 |
| 27 | Kwale | KSh 164,000 |
| 28 | Vihiga | KSh 163,200 |
| 29 | Kajiado | KSh 151,400 |
| 30 | Marsabit | KSh 146,800 |
Monthly consumption per adult equivalent (2022)
Kwale ranks 31 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Monthly consumption per adult equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Nandi | KSh 6,312 |
| 29 | Nyandarua | KSh 6,211 |
| 30 | Siaya | KSh 6,186 |
| 31 | Kwale | KSh 6,110 |
| 32 | Vihiga | KSh 6,002 |
| 33 | Bungoma | KSh 5,974 |
| 34 | Baringo | KSh 5,931 |
Households lit by the national grid (2023/24)
Kwale ranks 13 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households lit by the national grid |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Nyandarua | 64.4% |
| 11 | Taita-Taveta | 61.6% |
| 12 | Kisumu | 57.2% |
| 13 | Kwale | 55.0% |
| 14 | Kisii | 55.0% |
| 15 | Nyamira | 54.5% |
| 16 | Laikipia | 53.8% |
More on Kwale: 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…)
Each saved copy is the file exactly as downloaded, kept so the figures can be checked even if the source changes. Report an error.