Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Kenya
Kenya: Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) was 34.9% in 2024. ▬ Flat
Prevalence of undernourishment in Kenya, 2001–2024
Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Measured in % of population.
Analysis
In 2024, prevalence of undernourishment in Kenya stood at 34.9%.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 4.1% on the previous year and up 79.9% over ten years.
Over the whole period, prevalence of undernourishment in Kenya peaked at 36.4% in 2023 and was at its lowest, 19.4%, in 2013.
That places Kenya 9th out of 171 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the top 10%.
Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population) in Kenya, year by year
| Year | % of population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2001 | 31.8% | — |
| 2002 | 33.3% | +4.7% |
| 2003 | 34.5% | +3.6% |
| 2004 | 31.7% | -8.1% |
| 2005 | 28.2% | -11.0% |
| 2006 | 26.1% | -7.4% |
| 2007 | 27.1% | +3.8% |
| 2008 | 27.2% | +0.4% |
| 2009 | 24.9% | -8.5% |
| 2010 | 22.3% | -10.4% |
| 2011 | 20.6% | -7.6% |
| 2012 | 19.9% | -3.4% |
| 2013 | 19.4% | -2.5% |
| 2014 | 19.4% | +0.0% |
| 2015 | 21.2% | +9.3% |
| 2016 | 23.0% | +8.5% |
| 2017 | 24.8% | +7.8% |
| 2018 | 24.6% | -0.8% |
| 2019 | 25.8% | +4.9% |
| 2020 | 28.8% | +11.6% |
| 2021 | 33.4% | +16.0% |
| 2022 | 36.2% | +8.4% |
| 2023 | 36.4% | +0.6% |
| 2024 | 34.9% | -4.1% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 34.9% is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 11.1%, 3.1× the median. (44 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 34.9% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 18.8%, 1.9× the median. (44 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 29.4% | 24.9% | 34.5% | 9 |
| 2010s | 22.1% | 19.4% | 25.8% | 10 |
| 2020s | 33.9% | 28.8% | 36.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 6 Syria 40.8% compare
- 7 Democratic Republic of Congo 39.5% compare
- 8 Liberia 37.3% compare
- 10 Chad 33.6% compare
- 11 Papua New Guinea 30.5% compare
- 12 Central African Republic 29.8% compare
More health data for Kenya
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.44 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.6026 % change on previous year (2090)
- Un projection of annual infant deaths 16,059 (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 89 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 1.28 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.0621 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 1.28 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per capita 0.063 units per person (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is prevalence of undernourishment in Kenya?
- Prevalence of undernourishment in Kenya was 34.9% in 2024, according to Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
- What is the highest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 36.4% in 2023.
- What is the lowest prevalence of undernourishment recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.4% in 2013.
- How does Kenya rank for prevalence of undernourishment?
- Kenya ranks 9th out of 171 countries with data for 2024.
- Is prevalence of undernourishment rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 79.9%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), published as part of Prevalence of undernourishment (% of population). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Prevalence of undernourishment is the percentage of the population whose habitual food consumption is insufficient to provide the dietary energy levels that are required to maintain a normal active and healthy life. Data showing as 2.5 may signify a prevalence of undernourishment below 2.5%.