Socio-economic conditions of Kenya

Alina Pilipenko
IER-19eng-2
 Population and Ethnic groups

According to the 2019 revision of the World Population Prospects, the

total population was 51,392,565 in 2018 compared to 6,077,000 in 1950,
and around 1,700,000 in 1900. The proportion of children below the
age of 15 in 2010 was 42.5%, 54.9% between the ages of 15 and 65, and
2.7% was 65 years or older. Worldometers estimates the total
population at 48,466,928 inhabitants, a 29th global rank.

Kenya has a very diverse population that includes most

major ethnic, racial and linguistic groups found in Africa.
Bantu and Nilotic populations together constitute around
92% of the nation's inhabitants. People from Asian or
European heritage living in Kenya are estimated at
around 200,000. Kenya's largest ethnic group is the
Kikuyu. They make up less than a fifth of the population.
 Labour resources

The economically active population in Kenya in 2017 amounted to 19.3 million,

which is 604 thousand more than in 2016 (18.7 million). The growth rate
compared to 2016 was 3.22%.
The economically active part of the population consists of people aged 15-65 who
fall under the corresponding definition of the International Labor Organization
of the Economically Active Population: all people who supply labor for the
production of goods and services for a certain period of time. Such workers
include military personnel and the unemployed. The labor force does not include
students, housewives and other persons engaged in unpaid work
 Economy of Kenya

The economy of Kenya is a market-based economy with a

liberalised external trade system and a few state
enterprises. Major industries include agriculture,
forestry, fishing, mining, manufacturing, energy, tourism
and financial services. As of 2020, Kenya had the third
largest economy in Sub-Sahara Africa, behind Nigeria
and South Africa.

Kenya’s economic freedom score is 55.3, making its

economy the 132nd freest in the 2020 Index. Kenya is
ranked 23rd among 47 countries in the Sub-Saharan
Africa region, and its overall score is approximately
equal to the regional average and well below the world
average.
 Economy of Kenya

Kenya has the largest and most diverse economy in East Africa, with an average
annual growth rate of over 5% for nearly a decade. In terms of Human
Development Index Kenya ranks highest in the region. Its entrepreneurship and
human capital give it huge potential for further growth, job creation and poverty
reduction. The recent discovery of oil and other mineral resources creates great
potential for the Kenyan economy.

However, despite a decline of the country’s absolute poverty rate,

wealth has not been distributed equally. Kenya remains a highly
unequal society by income, by gender, and by geographical
location. Poverty is highest in the arid and semi-arid areas that
cover about 80% of the land area and are inhabited by about
20% of the population. Poverty also affects the coastal area,
which receives fewer resources. Rapid population growth is
another major challenge, further complicated by high
unemployment rates especially among the youth.
GDP per capita in Kenya is expected to reach 1320.00
USD by the end of 2020, according to Trading
Economics global macro models and analysts
expectations. In the long-term, the Kenya GDP per
capita is projected to trend around 1365.00 USD in
2021 and 1380.00 USD in 2022, according to our
econometric models.
 Economy of Kenya
Agriculture
Agriculture employs three quarters of the population, it
provides 22% of GDP. Most of the country's territory is
unsuitable for agriculture. The main consumer crops are corn
(2.2 million tons), potatoes (1 million tons), bananas (510
thousand tons). Crops such as tea (215 thousand tons, 4th place
in the world), coffee, wheat and cotton are exported. Revenues
from the export of tea and coffee are unstable due to frequent
droughts, crop failures and falling prices on the world market.

Industry
The share of mining in GDP is small - 16%. Soda,
salt and gold are extracted. The development of
the manufacturing industry here began even
under the colonial regime - earlier than in other
countries. The main industries are light, food,
textile, chemical, car assembly. The main
industrial centers of the country are Nairobi and
Mombasa.
 Economy of Kenya
Tourism
Tourism in Kenya is the second-largest source of foreign
exchange revenue following agriculture. The main wealth
of the country is its protected nature, which people from
all over the world travel to East Africa to admire. Also,
the country has developed beach vacations, you can
engage in various types of amateur sports or get
acquainted with the ancient history and culture of the
country during educational excursions. Beach tourism,
eco-tourism, cultural tourism, and sports tourism are all
part of the tourism sector in Kenya. The arrival of
tourists in Kenya averaged 81987.29 from 2006 to 2017.

Energy
The largest segment of Kenya's electricity supply comes from
hydroelectric stations at dams along the upper Tana River, as well
as the Turkwel Gorge Dam in the west. A petroleum-fired plant on
the coast, geothermal facilities at Olkaria (near Nairobi), and
electricity imported from Uganda make up the balance.
More about tourism…
Ecotourism
Kenya has more than 60 national parks, reserves and reserves,
occupying most of the country, which offer tourists a variety of
duration and richness programs. In total there are 329 protected
natural areas, including mountainous and marine ones. It is worth
noting Tsavo East National Park - the largest outdoor park in the
world and Nairobi National Park - the oldest in the country.

In Kenya, you can see the rarest species of animals and plants
that are carefully protected by the state: black rhinos, sable and
sitatung antelopes, golden cats, netted giraffes, colobus. In
addition to the amazing fauna, the country’s landscapes with
endless savannas, rare tropical forests, mountains (the famous
Kilimanjaro here), caves, waterfalls, geysers are very interesting.

Tourists are offered jeep safari and an underwater safari

with guides. Wildlife education centers of the parks offer
lectures and videos on wildlife and excursions to animal
shelters. All parks are equipped with comfortable houses for
living, sometimes very exotic, such as housing on a tree.
 Beach and outdoor activities
The average air temperature in the country is +25 ° C, and on the coast - even higher, so Kenya is quite
suitable for a beach holiday almost all year round. The coldest month is July, and twice a year there are
periods of heavy rains: March - May and October - November. The high season is the period from
September to April. The eastern coast of the state is washed by the waters of the warm Indian Ocean. There
are many clean white sandy beaches and comfortable hotels. The most popular resorts among tourists are
Malindi, Mombasa, Watamu, Diani and the island of Lamu with the most modern infrastructure.

On the beaches of Kenya, there are all the possibilities for water
sports: windsurfing, walks on traditional boats and modern
sailboats, diving, underwater hunting, fishing and excursions to
nearby islands. In the depths of the country you can go in for golf,
horseback riding and camel riding, gliding, climbing, caving.
Excursion and festival tourism
Since the equator crosses the country almost in half,
each tourist will be asked to take a picture on the “belt
of the Earth” and get a certificate for this event for a
fee. In any tour of the country, you will definitely see
local residents who in traditional Masai outfits
entertain tourists with songs and dances. It is definitely
worth a look at the ruins of the city of Dry Gode, near
Malindi and the medieval Spanish fortress Fort Jesus.

Also, travelers are happy to take part in local holidays

and festivals with a unique flavor: Commonwealth Day,
cultural festival of tribes in loyangalani, Mombasa's
annual Carnival, National Kenyan Music Festival in
Nairobi.
 Transport system in Kenya
Kenya's transport is represented by road, rail, air, water (sea, river) and
pipelines; public transport for passenger transport operates in settlements
and in intercity traffic. Kenya's geographical position allows the country to
control transport routes between East African states; Sea lanes between
America, Europe and Asia along the East African coast.

Roads
According to the Kenya Roads Board, Kenya has 160,886 kilometres
(99,970 mi) of roads. The country has an extensive network of paved
and unpaved roads. There are around 100,000 matatus (minibuses),
which constitute the bulk of the country's public transport system.

Airports
There are 225 airports in Kenya, including: with hard surface - 15, without
hard surface - 210. Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, is Kenya's
largest airport and serves the most destinations. Some international flights go to
Moi International Airport in Mombasa. Many airports with unpaved runways
serve private purposes, such as private game parks and safari lodges.
 Transport system in Kenya

Railways
The total length of the country's railways is 2778 km. The national company
Kenya Railways Corporation runs the former Uganda Railway and its branches
in Kenya. The most important line in the country runs between the port of
Mombasa and Nairobi, sleeping car accommodation is offered for tourists.

Waterways and pipelines

Part of the Lake Victoria system is within the boundaries of Kenya.
Kenya has a major international port at Mombasa, serving both
Kenya and Uganda. Kisumu on Lake Victoria is also another major
port, which has ferry connections to Uganda and Tanzania. The total
length of oil pipelines in Kenya was 4 km; product pipelines - 928 km.
Thank you for attention!