Kenya Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Kenya's industry employment was 12.48% in 2025, ranked 28th globally. This represents a 1.3% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Kenya's industry employment stood at 12.48% in 2025, a rise of +0.16% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 12.84% by 2026. Kenya ranked 28th globally.
Kenya’s share of employment in industry rose from 10.87 percent in 1991 to an all‑time peak of 12.48 percent in 2025, placing the country 28th globally and surpassing the 2003 trough of 9.21 percent. The upward trajectory reflects gradual diversification away from a predominantly agrarian labor force, aided by modest expansion in manufacturing and construction. Compared with peers, Kenya’s 2025 figure of 12.48 percent is slightly below Moldova’s 12.55 percent and the Channel Islands’ 12.65 percent, yet above Zimbabwe’s 11.53 percent and Sierra Leone’s 11.47 percent, indicating a middle‑of‑the‑road performance within the regional cohort. The 35‑year coverage shows a steady, though not rapid, increase in industrial employment, suggesting that continued investment in skill development and infrastructure could sustain the current rise, while any slowdown in policy support or global demand shocks might reverse the trend.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 13.36% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 13.10% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 12.84% | - | - |
| 2025 | 12.48% | +0.16% | #28 |
| 2024 | 12.31% | +0.16% | #28 |
| 2023 | 12.16% | +0.20% | #29 |
| 2022 | 11.95% | +0.61% | #28 |
| 2021 | 11.35% | +0.05% | #25 |
| 2020 | 11.29% | −0.08% | #25 |
| 2019 | 11.37% | +0.22% | #28 |
| 2018 | 11.15% | +0.36% | #28 |
| 2017 | 10.79% | +0.18% | #26 |
| 2016 | 10.61% | +0.18% | #26 |
| 2015 | 10.43% | +0.22% | #25 |
| 2014 | 10.22% | +0.22% | #24 |
| 2013 | 10.00% | +0.10% | #23 |
| 2012 | 9.90% | +0.13% | #21 |
| 2011 | 9.77% | +0.13% | #20 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kenya matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenya's industry employment was 12.48% in 2025. Ranked 28th globally. This represents a 1.3% increase from the previous year.
Kenya's industry employment peaked at 12.48% in 2025.
The lowest industry employment in Kenya was 9.21% in 2003.
Kenya ranks 28th globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kenya's industry employment is projected to reach 12.84% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Kenya in 2025 was 12.48%. This ranks 28th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kenya_industry-employment,
title = {Kenya Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kenya/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}