Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Kenya
Kenya: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 23.0% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Kenya, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Kenya is 23.0%, measured in 2020. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is up 27.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Kenya peaked at 23.0% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3.3%, in 1950.
That places Kenya 166th out of 236 countries with data for 2020, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Kenya, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 3.3% | — |
| 1955 | 3.7% | +13.2% |
| 1960 | 4.3% | +15.5% |
| 1965 | 4.8% | +12.9% |
| 1970 | 5.3% | +9.1% |
| 1975 | 6.1% | +15.6% |
| 1980 | 7.9% | +30.0% |
| 1985 | 9.1% | +15.8% |
| 1990 | 11.2% | +22.8% |
| 1995 | 13.0% | +16.2% |
| 2000 | 15.2% | +16.9% |
| 2005 | 16.2% | +6.1% |
| 2010 | 18.0% | +11.2% |
| 2015 | 20.5% | +13.7% |
| 2020 | 23.0% | +12.2% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 3.5% | 3.3% | 3.7% | 2 |
| 1960s | 4.5% | 4.3% | 4.8% | 2 |
| 1970s | 5.7% | 5.3% | 6.1% | 2 |
| 1980s | 8.5% | 7.9% | 9.1% | 2 |
| 1990s | 12.1% | 11.2% | 13.0% | 2 |
| 2000s | 15.7% | 15.2% | 16.2% | 2 |
| 2010s | 19.2% | 18.0% | 20.5% | 2 |
| 2020s | 23.0% | 23.0% | 23.0% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 163 Montenegro 23.6% compare
- 164 Niger 23.5% compare
- 165 Tanzania, United Republic of 23.1% compare
- 167 Luxembourg 22.7% compare
- 168 Republic of Moldova 22.3% compare
- 169 Czechia 22.2% compare
More population data for Kenya
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.1094 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate -0.0288 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -2.22 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate -0.0288 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population growth rate, by level of development -0.0% (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 6.40 million people (2100)
- Population density 183.07 people per km² (2100)
- World population growth -0.0% (2100)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.7363 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.9 Percent per annum (2030)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Kenya?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Kenya was 23.0% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 23.0% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 3.3% in 1950.
- How does Kenya rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Kenya ranks 166th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 27.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.