Kenya GDP Growth Rate (2026)
Kenya has one of East Africa’s largest economies, supported by services, agriculture, trade, technology, and domestic consumption. This page explores its GDP growth trend, historical performance, regional position, and outlook.
GDP Growth Rate 2026
+4.5%
Annual real GDP growth
World Rank
#42
Out of 195 countries
Change vs 2025
-0.4 pp
2025: +4.9%
Africa Rank
#25
Out of 54 countries
1. Kenya GDP Growth Rate in 2026
Kenyan economic growth is influenced by agriculture, services, household demand, infrastructure investment, and financial activity. Weather conditions, inflation, and public finances are especially important.
2. Kenya GDP Growth Rate Trends (1980–2026)
Kenya’s growth history has been shaped by population growth, urbanization, services expansion, agriculture, and infrastructure development. Technology and financial services have become increasingly important.
3. Kenya GDP Growth Rate (Historical Data)
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change (pp) |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +4.5% | -0.4 pp |
| 2025 | +4.9% | +0.2 pp |
| 2024 | +4.7% | -1.0 pp |
| 2023 | +5.7% | +0.8 pp |
| 2022 | +4.9% | -2.7 pp |
| 2021 | +7.6% | +7.9 pp |
| 2020 | -0.3% | -5.4 pp |
| 2019 | +5.1% | -0.6 pp |
| 2018 | +5.7% | +1.9 pp |
| 2017 | +3.8% | -0.4 pp |
| 2016 | +4.2% | -0.8 pp |
| 2015 | +5.0% | 0.0 pp |
| 2014 | +5.0% | +1.2 pp |
| 2013 | +3.8% | -0.8 pp |
| 2012 | +4.6% | -0.5 pp |
| 2011 | +5.1% | -3.0 pp |
| 2010 | +8.1% | +4.8 pp |
| 2009 | +3.3% | +3.1 pp |
| 2008 | +0.2% | -6.7 pp |
| 2007 | +6.9% | +1.0 pp |
| 2006 | +5.9% | +0.2 pp |
| 2005 | +5.7% | +1.1 pp |
| 2004 | +4.6% | +1.7 pp |
| 2003 | +2.9% | +2.4 pp |
| 2002 | +0.5% | -3.5 pp |
| 2001 | +4.0% | +3.7 pp |
| 2000 | +0.3% | -1.9 pp |
| 1999 | +2.2% | -0.8 pp |
| 1998 | +3.0% | +2.6 pp |
| 1997 | +0.4% | -4.1 pp |
| 1996 | +4.5% | +0.2 pp |
| 1995 | +4.3% | +1.8 pp |
| 1994 | +2.5% | +2.6 pp |
| 1993 | -0.1% | +1.0 pp |
| 1992 | -1.1% | -2.4 pp |
| 1991 | +1.3% | -2.8 pp |
| 1990 | +4.1% | -0.5 pp |
| 1989 | +4.6% | -1.5 pp |
| 1988 | +6.1% | +0.3 pp |
| 1987 | +5.8% | -1.2 pp |
| 1986 | +7.0% | +2.9 pp |
| 1985 | +4.1% | +2.5 pp |
| 1984 | +1.6% | 0.0 pp |
| 1983 | +1.6% | -3.5 pp |
| 1982 | +5.1% | +1.0 pp |
| 1981 | +4.1% | -1.5 pp |
| 1980 | +5.6% | — |
4. Kenya GDP Growth Performance
Current Growth Rate
+4.5%
(2026 to 2026)
5-Year Average
+4.9%
(2022 to 2026)
10-Year Average
+4.7%
(2017 to 2026)
20-Year Average
+4.6%
(2007 to 2026)
The economy benefits from a diversified service sector, strong regional trade links, and growing digital activity. Debt pressures and climate-related agricultural volatility can constrain performance.
5. Kenya GDP Growth Rate vs Africa and World
Kenya
+4.5%
Africa Average
+4.1%
World Average
+2.8%
0.0%
2.2%
4.5%
Annual real GDP growth (%)
Kenya’s GDP growth rate is approximately
0.3 pp
above the
Africa average
and
1.7 pp
above the world average.
6. Kenya GDP Growth Rate Ranking in Africa
| Rank | Country | GDP Growth Rate |
|---|---|---|
| #21 | Cabo Verde | +4.8% |
| #22 | Botswana | +4.8% |
| #23 | Ghana | +4.8% |
| #24 | Sierra Leone | +4.6% |
| #25 | Kenya | +4.5% |
| #26 | Mauritania | +4.4% |
| #27 | Zambia | +4.3% |
| #28 | Egypt | +4.2% |
| #29 | South Sudan | +4.1% |
7. Top 10 Fastest-Growing Countries in the World (2026)
8. GDP Growth Rate and Economy Size in Kenya
Kenya GDP (Nominal)
$147.3 Billion
(2026)
Kenya GDP Growth Rate
+4.5%
(2026)
Kenya often grows faster than many mature economies and remains a major growth center in East Africa. Its diversified economy provides greater resilience than more commodity-dependent regional markets.
Explore more:
Kenya GDP
9. Kenya GDP Growth Rate Forecast
The outlook depends on agriculture, services, investment, infrastructure, and fiscal stability. Debt, inflation, drought, and financing costs remain important risks.
| Year | GDP Growth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | +4.7% | +0.2 pp |
| 2028 | +5.1% | +0.4 pp |
| 2029 | +5.0% | -0.1 pp |
| 2030 | +5.0% | 0.0 pp |
10. Kenya GDP Growth Rate: Key Findings
Kenya GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.5% in 2026.
It ranks #42 globally and #25 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The growth rate slowed by 0.4 percentage points compared with 2025.
The 5-year average GDP growth rate is +4.9%.
The 10-year average GDP growth rate is +4.7%.
The current rate is 0.3 percentage points above the Africa average.
The current rate is 1.7 percentage points above the world average.
The forecast GDP growth rate is +5.0% in 2030, 0.5 percentage points above the 2026 rate.
11. What Is GDP Growth Rate?
GDP growth rate measures the percentage change in a country’s real gross domestic product from one period to the next, usually year over year.
GDP Growth Rate
=
(Real GDPₜ − Real GDPₜ₋₁)
÷
Real GDPₜ₋₁ × 100
A positive rate indicates economic expansion, while a negative rate indicates contraction. Real GDP growth is preferred for growth comparisons because it adjusts for price changes.
12. Methodology and Data Sources
Primary Source:
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
Additional Source:
World Bank
Measure:
Annual percentage change in real GDP
Unit:
Percent (%)
Comparisons:
Year-to-year rate differences are shown in percentage points (pp)
Update Frequency:
Annually and when new forecasts are released
Last Updated:
September 2026
13. Kenya GDP Growth Rate FAQs
Kenya GDP growth rate is estimated at +4.5% in 2026.
Kenya ranks #42 globally and #25 in Africa by annual GDP growth rate.
The economy is expanding, with real GDP growth of approximately +4.5% in 2026.
Kenya GDP growth rate was +5.0% in 2015.
Kenya GDP growth rate is 0.3 percentage points above the Africa average.
15. Explore GDP Growth Rate
Disclaimer:
All data are estimates based on IMF, World Bank,
United Nations and related economic datasets.
Figures may differ from official national statistics.