Kenya Population
Sub-Saharan Africa · 26th most populous · Lower middle income
Population right now (estimate)
58,980,925
The population of Kenya is about 58,980,925 as of 22 October 2026 (estimate), and 58.6 million for 2026 as a whole — 0.71% of the world's people.
Kenya is the 26th most populous of 217 countries and territories. The population is still growing, by about 1.92% a year. By 2050 it is projected to reach about 83.6 million. That is 7.6 times its 1960 population of 7.7 million. Population density is 101 people per square kilometre. 32% of people live in cities (2025).
Population 2026
58.6 million
Yearly change
+1.92%
World rank
26th
Share of world
0.71%
Density
101/km²
Land area
580,880 km²
Life expectancy
63.8 yrs
Births per woman
3.17
GDP per capita
$2,363
GDP
$135.9B
Population of Kenya, 1960–2050
Kenya population by year
| Year | Population | Yearly change | Density (per km²) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1960 | 7,695,307 | — | 13 |
| 1970 | 11,368,791 | +3.92% | 20 |
| 1980 | 16,018,459 | +3.61% | 28 |
| 1990 | 22,892,651 | +3.50% | 39 |
| 2000 | 30,642,890 | +3.06% | 53 |
| 2010 | 41,598,567 | +2.94% | 72 |
| 2020 | 52,217,334 | +1.98% | 90 |
| 2024 | 56,432,944 | +1.98% | 97 |
| 2026proj. | 58,636,412 | +1.92% | 101 |
| 2030proj. | 63,102,245 | +1.81% | 109 |
| 2040proj. | 74,108,863 | +1.44% | 128 |
| 2050proj. | 83,593,239 | +1.05% | 144 |
Kenya vs Bangladesh
Bangladesh (178 million) has 3.0 times as many people as Kenya. Bangladesh is 13.5 times more densely populated.
Kenya population: questions and answers
What is the population of Kenya in 2026?
About 58,636,412 (58.6 million), based on World Bank projections.
Is Kenya's population growing?
Yes, by about 1.92% a year (2026).
What is the population density of Kenya?
About 101 people per km², with a land area of 580,880 km².
What will the population of Kenya be in 2050?
About 83.6 million on World Bank projections.
What is the capital of Kenya?
Nairobi.
What is the life expectancy in Kenya?
63.8 years at birth (2024).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Data retrieved 2026-10-22. Live figures are mathematical estimates interpolated between the World Bank's mid-year values, not real-time counts.