Kenya has a population of approximately 56 million people as of 2025, making it the 26th most populous country in the world and one of the largest nations in East Africa. This East African republic, straddling the equator on the Indian Ocean coast, has seen its population grow nearly tenfold since independence, and it remains among the fastest-changing demographic landscapes on the continent.
How Many People Live in Kenya?
Kenya's population is estimated at around 56 million in 2025, ranking it roughly 26th globally and placing it among Africa's most populous states alongside Nigeria, Ethiopia, Egypt, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. To put that figure in perspective, Kenya holds about as many people as Italy or South Korea, yet within a far younger and faster-growing society.
The population is spread across a land area of about 580,000 km², giving an average density of roughly 96 people per square kilometre. That national average, however, hides enormous variation: the fertile central highlands and the shores of Lake Victoria are densely settled, while the vast arid and semi-arid north and northeast are sparsely populated, with some counties holding just a handful of people per square kilometre.
Population Growth and Trends
Kenya is growing at an annual rate of about 2.1%, a pace that adds well over a million people every year. At this rate the population would double in roughly 33 years. The story of Kenyan demography is one of dramatic expansion: at independence in 1963 the country had just 6 million inhabitants, meaning the population has multiplied nearly tenfold in six decades.
The engine behind this growth is fertility. In the 1970s Kenyan women had an average of around 8 children each — one of the highest rates ever recorded. That figure has fallen substantially, to roughly 3.4 children per woman today, thanks to rising education, urbanisation, and access to family planning. Even so, it remains above the replacement level of 2.1, so the population continues to climb. Demographers project Kenya will reach about 85 million people by 2050, a trajectory that will keep intensifying pressure on land, water, schools, and food production.
Where Kenyans Live: Cities and Regions
Although Kenya has historically been a rural, agricultural nation, it is urbanising rapidly. The three largest cities are Nairobi, Mombasa, and Kisumu.
- Nairobi, the capital, has roughly 5 million residents in the city proper and close to 10 million across its wider metropolitan area. It is the economic and transport hub of East Africa and famously hosts the only United Nations headquarters in the developing world, home to UNEP and UN-Habitat.
- Mombasa, with about 1.2 million people, is the second-largest city and Kenya's principal Indian Ocean port, with a Swahili coastal history stretching back more than a thousand years.
- Kisumu, home to around 400,000 people, is the leading urban centre on the Kenyan shore of Lake Victoria and a gateway to the western region.
Beyond these, growing towns such as Nakuru, Eldoret, and Thika reflect a broader shift of population toward urban opportunity. Even so, roughly half of all Kenyans still live in rural areas, concentrated in the agriculturally productive highlands and lake basins.
A Young and Diverse Society
Kenya has one of the youngest populations in the world, with a median age of about 20 years — meaning half of all Kenyans are under 20. This youthful "demographic dividend" represents enormous potential if the economy can generate enough jobs, but also a challenge for education and employment systems.
The country is strikingly diverse, with more than 40 ethnic groups. The largest include the Kikuyu (around 17%), the Luhya (around 14%), the Kalenjin (around 13%), the Luo (around 11%), and the Kamba (around 10%). Swahili and English are the official languages, while dozens of community languages are spoken at home. Religiously, about 86% of Kenyans are Christian and roughly 11% are Muslim, with Islam most concentrated along the coast and in the northeast. For a fuller picture of the nation's geography, economy, and culture, see our kenya country guide.
Key Population Facts
- Population (2025 est.): ~56 million
- World rank: 26th most populous
- Annual growth rate: ~2.1%
- Fertility rate: ~3.4 children per woman
- Population density: ~96 people per km²
- Median age: ~20 years
- Capital and largest city: Nairobi
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kenya in 2025?
Kenya's population in 2025 is approximately 56 million people, making it the 26th most populous country in the world and one of the largest in East Africa.
Is Kenya's population growing or shrinking?
Kenya's population is growing steadily at about 2.1% per year, adding more than a million people annually. It is projected to reach around 85 million by 2050.
What is the largest city in Kenya?
Nairobi, the capital, is the largest city, with about 5 million residents in the city itself and nearly 10 million in its broader metropolitan area.
Why does Kenya have such a young population?
Decades of high fertility combined with improving life expectancy have produced a very young society, with a median age of around 20 years — about half of Kenyans are under 20.