Kenya Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Kenya's labor force participation was 67.39% in 2025, ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Kenya's labor force participation stood at 67.39% in 2025, a decline of +0.03pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 67.37% by 2026. Kenya ranked 40th globally.
Kenya’s labor force participation rate has fallen markedly since the early 1990s, slipping from 73.00 % in 1990 to 67.39 % in 2025, a position that ranks it 40th globally. The indicator reached its all‑time high of 74.41 % in 2016 before descending to a trough of 67.08 % in 2020, after which it has stabilized only marginally above that low. Over the 36‑year coverage period, the downward trajectory reflects structural shifts such as urban migration, rising educational enrollment and demographic aging, which have reduced the share of the working‑age population engaged in economic activity. Kenya’s current rate is closely aligned with peers such as Zimbabwe (67.72 %) and the Netherlands (67.25 %), suggesting that regional and global forces are influencing similar participation levels. Continued improvements in job creation, especially in the informal sector, and policies that encourage female and youth labor market entry will be crucial to reverse the long‑term decline and lift the participation rate in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 67.33% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 67.35% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 67.37% | - | - |
| 2025 | 67.39% | −0.03pp | #40 |
| 2024 | 67.42% | −0.04pp | #41 |
| 2023 | 67.46% | −0.04pp | #44 |
| 2022 | 67.50% | +0.04pp | #38 |
| 2021 | 67.46% | +0.38pp | #35 |
| 2020 | 67.08% | −0.72pp | #38 |
| 2019 | 67.80% | −2.30pp | #40 |
| 2018 | 70.10% | −2.20pp | #31 |
| 2017 | 72.31% | −2.10pp | #25 |
| 2016 | 74.41% | +0.12pp | #18 |
| 2015 | 74.29% | +0.12pp | #19 |
| 2014 | 74.17% | +0.12pp | #19 |
| 2013 | 74.06% | +0.12pp | #20 |
| 2012 | 73.94% | +0.12pp | #20 |
| 2011 | 73.82% | +0.12pp | #21 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kenya matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenya's labor force participation was 67.39% in 2025. Ranked 40th globally. This represents a 0.0% decrease from the previous year.
Kenya's labor force participation peaked at 74.41% in 2016.
The lowest labor force participation in Kenya was 67.08% in 2020.
Kenya ranks 40th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kenya's labor force participation is projected to reach 67.37% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Kenya in 2025 was 67.39%. This ranks 40th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kenya_labor-force-participation,
title = {Kenya Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kenya/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}