Economy, jobs and prices in Meru, Kenya: official figures
Meru's economy (Gross County Product) was worth KSh 407.4 billion in 2022 at current prices, 3.3% of the 47 counties' combined KSh 12.29 trillion, or about KSh 253,700 per resident; 10th highest of Kenya's 47 counties per person (all counties: KSh 242,700).
How much do households in Meru spend?
Households in Meru spent an average of KSh 6,893 a month per adult equivalent on food and other goods in 2022, 19th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: KSh 8,030); food took 62.6% of spending.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many people in Meru have work?
67.2% of women and 70.5% of men aged 15-49 in Meru 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 Meru use mobile money and the internet?
77.5% of women aged 15-49 in Meru had used a bank account or a mobile phone for money transactions in the previous year and 74.1% owned a mobile phone (2022; Kenya: 79.3% and 77.5%); 37.0% 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 Meru have electricity?
52.2% of Meru's 463,535 households got their lighting from the national electricity grid in the 2023/24 Kenya Housing Survey, 20th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 57.7%); 36.9% relied on solar panels or solar-charged lamps.
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyHow many homes in Meru have piped water?
59.2% of households in Meru had piped water in 2023/24, 12th highest of Kenya's 47 counties (Kenya: 44.9%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyDo people in Meru own or rent their homes?
77.2% of households in Meru owned their home in 2023/24 and 20.7% paid rent (Kenya: 61.3% and 33.4%).
Source: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics · saved copyMore figures
- Its output grew 23.5% in money terms between 2020 and 2022, before allowing for inflation (all counties: 24.6%). Source: Commission on Revenue Allocation · saved copy
How Meru compares with other counties
Gross County Product per person, current prices (2022)
Meru ranks 10 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Gross County Product per person, current prices |
|---|---|---|
| 7 | Nakuru | KSh 261,200 |
| 8 | Machakos | KSh 257,100 |
| 9 | Kisumu | KSh 254,600 |
| 10 | Meru | KSh 253,700 |
| 11 | Kirinyaga | KSh 248,300 |
| 12 | Elgeyo-Marakwet | KSh 247,400 |
| 13 | Lamu | KSh 246,400 |
Monthly consumption per adult equivalent (2022)
Meru ranks 19 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Monthly consumption per adult equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 16 | Laikipia | KSh 7,384 |
| 17 | Narok | KSh 7,083 |
| 18 | Trans Nzoia | KSh 6,942 |
| 19 | Meru | KSh 6,893 |
| 20 | Murang'a | KSh 6,872 |
| 21 | Homa Bay | KSh 6,868 |
| 22 | Isiolo | KSh 6,732 |
Households lit by the national grid (2023/24)
Meru ranks 20 of 47, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Households lit by the national grid |
|---|---|---|
| 17 | Embu | 53.4% |
| 18 | Lamu | 52.3% |
| 19 | Tharaka-Nithi | 52.3% |
| 20 | Meru | 52.2% |
| 21 | Nandi | 50.5% |
| 22 | Isiolo | 50.1% |
| 23 | Trans Nzoia | 47.6% |
More on Meru: 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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