Kenya Poverty Rate
Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15/day SI.POV.DDAY
Kenya's poverty rate was 45.31% in 2025, ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 3.4% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1992–2025.
Overview
Kenya's poverty rate stood at 45.31% in 2025, a decline of +1.59pp from 2022. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 45.31% by 2025. Kenya ranked 3rd globally.
Kenya’s poverty rate has risen sharply since the early 1990s, climbing from a trough of 32.00 % in 1994 to an all‑time peak of 46.90 % in 2022, before slipping slightly to 45.31 % in 2025 – the third‑highest level globally according to World Bank data. The upward trajectory contrasts with Rwanda, whose 2025 poverty incidence stands at 39.89 %, and mirrors the persistent high levels seen in Mozambique (77.92 %). Over the nine‑year coverage window, the share of Kenyans living below the national poverty line has increased by more than 13 percentage points, reflecting limited progress in inclusive growth and vulnerability to climate‑related shocks. Structural reforms in agriculture, expanded social protection, and sustained investment in education could moderate the rise, while continued macro‑economic volatility may keep the rate near its current level.
Data & projection
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025* trend | 45.31% | - | - |
| 2025 | 45.31% | −1.59pp | #3 |
| 2022 | 46.90% | +0.50pp | #67 |
| 2021 | 46.40% | +2.00pp | #75 |
| 2020 | 44.40% | +6.70pp | #67 |
| 2015 | 37.70% | −6.90pp | #81 |
| 2005 | 44.60% | +12.00pp | #72 |
| 1997 | 32.60% | +0.60pp | #32 |
| 1994 | 32.00% | +0.00pp | #22 |
| 1992 | 32.00% | – | #30 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Kenya matched the Fiscal Dominance Trap pattern in 2008. Historically, 72% of countries showing this pattern (278 out of 386) saw poverty rate improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Kenya's poverty rate was 45.31% in 2025. Ranked 3rd globally. This represents a 3.4% decrease from the previous year.
Kenya's poverty rate peaked at 46.90% in 2022.
The lowest poverty rate in Kenya was 32.00% in 1992.
Kenya ranks 3rd globally in poverty rate as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SI.POV.DDAY. Data sourced from World Bank.
Kenya's poverty rate is projected to reach 45.31% by 2025 based on trend extrapolation.
The poverty rate of Kenya in 2025 was 45.31%. This ranks 3rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_kenya_poverty-rate,
title = {Kenya Poverty Rate},
url = {https://historysaid.com/kenya/poverty-rate/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}