Urban Population: Kenya
Kenya's urban population is currently 31.9% as of 2024. # Kenya Urban Population Kenya's urban population reached 31.
Current (2024)
31.9%
+0.8% y/y
Peak (2024)
31.9%
Low (1960)
8.2%
Source
World Bank World Development Indicators
1960–2024 · 65 pts
Urban Population — Kenya
1960 — 2024
Urban Population — Kenya
Analysis# Kenya Urban Population
Kenya's urban population reached 31.894% in 2024, marking an all-time high for the country. This represents a dramatic shift from 1960, when only 8.234% of Kenyans lived in urban areas—a 287.3% increase over six decades. Urban growth has been uneven, with the percentage rising steadily through much of the 20th century before stabilizing in the 2010s around 31-32%.
Recent years reveal a stabilization pattern rather than explosive growth. After peaking at 31.734% in 2015, urban population share dipped slightly to 31.19% by 2019 before rebounding to 31.894% by 2024. This plateau suggests Kenya's urban migration may be approaching saturation in major cities, with growth rates moderating as rural populations stabilize relative to urban centers.
Historical Data
65 Rows| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 31.9% | +0.83% |
| 2023 | 31.6% | +0.64% |
| 2022 | 31.4% | +0.46% |
| 2021 | 31.3% | +0.26% |
| 2020 | 31.2% | +0.05% |
| 2019 | 31.2% | -0.65% |
| 2018 | 31.4% | -0.46% |
| 2017 | 31.5% | -0.35% |
| 2016 | 31.6% | -0.26% |
| 2015 | 31.7% | -0.19% |
| 2014 | 31.8% | -0.12% |
| 2013 | 31.8% | -0.08% |
| 2012 | 31.9% | -0.03% |
| 2011 | 31.9% | -0.01% |
| 2010 | 31.9% | +0.03% |
| 2009 | 31.9% | +1.39% |
| 2008 | 31.4% | +3.31% |
| 2007 | 30.4% | +4.94% |
| 2006 | 29.0% | +6.29% |
| 2005 | 27.3% | +7.29% |
Show all 65 rows
| Year | Value | Change % |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 25.4% | +7.86% |
| 2003 | 23.6% | +7.80% |
| 2002 | 21.9% | +6.93% |
| 2001 | 20.4% | +5.07% |
| 2000 | 19.5% | +2.24% |
| 1999 | 19.0% | +0.79% |
| 1998 | 18.9% | +0.65% |
| 1997 | 18.8% | +0.52% |
| 1996 | 18.7% | +0.42% |
| 1995 | 18.6% | +0.37% |
| 1994 | 18.5% | +0.35% |
| 1993 | 18.4% | +0.38% |
| 1992 | 18.4% | +0.45% |
| 1991 | 18.3% | +0.56% |
| 1990 | 18.2% | +0.71% |
| 1989 | 18.1% | +0.88% |
| 1988 | 17.9% | +1.03% |
| 1987 | 17.7% | +1.18% |
| 1986 | 17.5% | +1.32% |
| 1985 | 17.3% | +1.47% |
| 1984 | 17.0% | +1.63% |
| 1983 | 16.8% | +1.77% |
| 1982 | 16.5% | +1.92% |
| 1981 | 16.2% | +2.08% |
| 1980 | 15.8% | +2.27% |
| 1979 | 15.5% | +2.90% |
| 1978 | 15.0% | +3.81% |
| 1977 | 14.5% | +4.57% |
| 1976 | 13.9% | +5.17% |
| 1975 | 13.2% | +5.60% |
| 1974 | 12.5% | +5.81% |
| 1973 | 11.8% | +5.73% |
| 1972 | 11.2% | +5.30% |
| 1971 | 10.6% | +4.46% |
| 1970 | 10.1% | +3.20% |
| 1969 | 9.8% | +2.32% |
| 1968 | 9.6% | +1.96% |
| 1967 | 9.4% | +1.72% |
| 1966 | 9.3% | +1.59% |
| 1965 | 9.1% | +1.62% |
| 1964 | 9.0% | +1.78% |
| 1963 | 8.8% | +2.10% |
| 1962 | 8.6% | +2.35% |
| 1961 | 8.4% | +2.45% |
| 1960 | 8.2% | — |
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