Unemployment Rate Evolution in Kenya from 1999 to 2021

Kenya’s unemployment rate has shown variability, consistently around 10% until 2009. A significant decrease occurred in 2016, dropping to 2.8% due to economic diversification and small enterprise growth. However, by 2021, the rate rose to 5.7%, reflecting pandemic-related economic strains and a growing workforce. Kenya’s labor market remains dependent on agriculture and informal jobs, which, while accessible, often lack stability, signaling a need for more robust formal job opportunities.