Share of population living in cities towns and villages in Kenya

Kenya: Share of population living in cities towns and villages was 22.95 in 2020. ◆ Volatile

Latest (2020)
22.95
World rank
166th
of 236 countries
All-time high
22.95
in 2020
All-time low
3.27
in 1950
Years of data
15
1950–2020

Share of population living in cities towns and villages in Kenya, 1950–2020

5101520251950198520201950: 3.31955: 3.71960: 4.31965: 4.81970: 5.31975: 6.11980: 7.91985: 9.11990: 11.21995: 132000: 15.22005: 16.22010: 182015: 20.52020: 23

Source: Our World in Data.

Analysis

The most recent figure for share of population living in cities towns and villages in Kenya is 22.95, 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 villages in Kenya peaked at 22.95 in 2020 and was at its lowest, 3.27, 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 villages in Kenya, year by year

Annual values for Share of population living in cities towns and villages in Kenya, 1950 to 2020.
Year Value Change
1950 3.27 —
1955 3.7 +13.2%
1960 4.27 +15.5%
1965 4.82 +12.9%
1970 5.26 +9.1%
1975 6.08 +15.6%
1980 7.9 +30.0%
1985 9.15 +15.8%
1990 11.23 +22.8%
1995 13.04 +16.2%
2000 15.24 +16.9%
2005 16.18 +6.1%
2010 17.99 +11.2%
2015 20.46 +13.7%
2020 22.95 +12.2%

Kenya compared with similar countries

  • Kenya's 22.95 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 38.18, 60% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
  • Kenya's 22.95 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 37.31, 62% of the median. (48 countries reporting)

Averages by decade

DecadeAverage LowestHighest Years
1950s 3.48 3.27 3.7 2
1960s 4.55 4.27 4.82 2
1970s 5.67 5.26 6.08 2
1980s 8.52 7.9 9.15 2
1990s 12.14 11.23 13.04 2
2000s 15.71 15.24 16.18 2
2010s 19.22 17.99 20.46 2
2020s 22.95 22.95 22.95 1

Countries ranked near Kenya

  1. 163 Montenegro 23.61 compare
  2. 164 Niger 23.51 compare
  3. 165 Tanzania 23.08 compare
  4. 167 Luxembourg 22.73 compare
  5. 168 Moldova 22.27 compare
  6. 169 Czechia 22.23 compare

See the full ranking of 236 places →

More population data for Kenya

All data for Kenya →

Frequently asked questions

What is share of population living in cities towns and villages in Kenya?
Share of population living in cities towns and villages in Kenya was 22.95 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
What is the highest share of population living in cities towns and villages recorded in Kenya?
The highest recorded value was 22.95 in 2020.
What is the lowest share of population living in cities towns and villages recorded in Kenya?
The lowest recorded value was 3.27 in 1950.
How does Kenya rank for share of population living in cities towns and villages?
Kenya ranks 166th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
Is share of population living in cities towns and villages 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 Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities towns and villages. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.

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Share of population living in cities towns and villages in Kenya. Statizoid, drawing on Our World in Data. Retrieved 12 November 2026, from https://population.statizoid.com/stat/share-of-population-living-in-cities-towns-and-villages/kenya/

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About this data

Indicator
Share of population living in cities towns and villages
Source
Our World in Data
Licence
CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data)
Coverage
236 places, 3,540 data points, 1950–2020
Last refreshed