Unemployment rate in Kenya by county, 2019 census
Garissa has the highest unemployment rate in Kenya at 40.6%. Nyandarua has the lowest at 3.0%. These are 2019 census figures on the ILO definition, and across all counties the rate works out to 11.8%.
The highest unemployment counties
Garissa (40.6%), Turkana (30.7%), Wajir (28.5%), Mombasa (25.1%) and Mandera (23.6%) lead the table. Garissa, Turkana and Wajir sit far above the rest, and they rank 45th, 47th and 43rd of 47 on my connectivity score.
The lowest unemployment counties
Nyandarua (3.0%), Bomet (4.3%), Narok (4.9%), Kirinyaga (5.0%) and Siaya (5.1%) have the lowest rates. A low rate counts people who are looking for work and cannot find it. It does not tell you how many jobs pay well.
Does connectivity change the picture
The ten best connected counties on my composite score average 12.1% unemployment. The ten least connected average 19.6%. The pattern is not a straight line, because Mombasa ranks 3rd on connectivity and still has 25.1% unemployment. Labour force participation is close between the two groups, with 57.2% in the top ten and 55.9% in the bottom ten.
Highest labour force participation
Kirinyaga (64.8%), Nyeri (63.1%), Wajir (62.3%) and Embu (62.0%) have the highest share of adults in the labour force. Migori has the lowest at 45.7%.
Unemployment and participation in all 47 counties
| County | Unemployment rate | Labour force participation | Connectivity rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baringo | 9.5% | 53.2% | 38th |
| Bomet | 4.3% | 49.6% | 33rd |
| Bungoma | 6.1% | 46.4% | 13th |
| Busia | 6.0% | 48.3% | 20th |
| Elgeyo Marakwet | 8.2% | 48.0% | 22nd |
| Embu | 5.9% | 62.0% | 17th |
| Garissa | 40.6% | 58.9% | 45th |
| Homa Bay | 6.1% | 46.0% | 32nd |
| Isiolo | 21.3% | 56.8% | 35th |
| Kajiado | 15.0% | 56.0% | 9th |
| Kakamega | 6.3% | 48.0% | 16th |
| Kericho | 5.3% | 52.4% | 14th |
| Kiambu | 12.9% | 60.3% | 2nd |
| Kilifi | 12.6% | 49.3% | 26th |
| Kirinyaga | 5.0% | 64.8% | 10th |
| Kisii | 7.5% | 49.1% | 21st |
| Kisumu | 10.5% | 48.3% | 8th |
| Kitui | 6.2% | 51.6% | 39th |
| Kwale | 11.7% | 51.8% | 25th |
| Laikipia | 8.3% | 58.2% | 19th |
| Lamu | 10.7% | 54.6% | 36th |
| Machakos | 10.3% | 58.9% | 11th |
| Makueni | 6.6% | 55.4% | 15th |
| Mandera | 23.6% | 56.6% | 41st |
| Marsabit | 20.9% | 59.8% | 46th |
| Meru | 9.8% | 56.9% | 29th |
| Migori | 7.6% | 45.7% | 30th |
| Mombasa | 25.1% | 54.2% | 3rd |
| Murang'a | 5.8% | 61.9% | 7th |
| Nairobi | 18.9% | 58.6% | 1st |
| Nakuru | 9.4% | 53.7% | 4th |
| Nandi | 6.5% | 50.4% | 27th |
| Narok | 4.9% | 50.7% | 37th |
| Nyamira | 6.9% | 49.9% | 34th |
| Nyandarua | 3.0% | 58.1% | 12th |
| Nyeri | 5.8% | 63.1% | 6th |
| Samburu | 10.9% | 50.0% | 44th |
| Siaya | 5.1% | 50.1% | 24th |
| Taita Taveta | 9.6% | 59.7% | 18th |
| Tana River | 18.0% | 55.0% | 40th |
| Tharaka Nithi | 6.7% | 58.4% | 31st |
| Trans Nzoia | 9.7% | 46.7% | 28th |
| Turkana | 30.7% | 59.8% | 47th |
| Uasin Gishu | 12.7% | 51.1% | 5th |
| Vihiga | 5.7% | 50.8% | 23rd |
| Wajir | 28.5% | 62.3% | 43rd |
| West Pokot | 7.5% | 51.6% | 42nd |
Source: 2019 Kenya Population and Housing Census, Volume IV, Table 2.8a (KNBS). Connectivity rank is out of 47 on my composite score.
The census is from 2019, so these figures predate recent changes in the job market. I will update the layer when KNBS publishes newer county data. Open the employment layer on the map to see the counties side by side.
Frequently asked questions
Which county in Kenya has the highest unemployment rate?
Garissa, at 40.6% in the 2019 census, followed by Turkana (30.7%) and Wajir (28.5%).
Which county has the lowest unemployment rate?
Nyandarua, at 3.0%. Bomet (4.3%) is next.
Explore the data
Open the interactive map or browse all 47 counties. County data is on the data page.