GeoRealityMatch

The UK Foreign Office advises against all travel to parts of the country, and all but essential travel to other areas. FCDO travel advice, read 29 October 2026.

Panoramic view of Nairobi's skyline from Uhuru Park, showcasing urban architecture.Scenic skyline view of Nairobi cityscape with iconic skyscrapers and lush greenery.

Kenya

Africa · Eastern Africa

Low safetyVery affordable cost of livingMedium development

It is less peaceful than most countries.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa.
vs South Africavs Tanzaniavs Rwanda
Safety

131st most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
2.447lower is more peacefulLow safety
#131 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
4.9per 100,000 people a yearHighUNODC / World Bank · 2022
Safety index
44.9Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferLowNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes below the median country

GNI per person
$2,200national income per person, US dollarsLow
World Bank · 2025
Rent index
7.8New York = 100Very affordableNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
17.0years of median income to buy a median flatExpensiveNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 238% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 51% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$4.0K$8.0K$7,016 PPP$2,363Inflation, % a year30%0200620102015202020252006, $700 a person, $2,330 at PPP, inflation 14.5%2007, $840 a person, $2,481 at PPP, inflation 9.8%2008, $916 a person, $2,459 at PPP, inflation 26.2%2009, $1,048 a person, $2,480 at PPP, inflation 9.2%2010, $1,092 a person, $2,635 at PPP, inflation 4%2011, $1,096 a person, $2,750 at PPP, inflation 14%2012, $1,285 a person, $2,847 at PPP, inflation 9.4%2013, $1,371 a person, $3,106 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2014, $1,483 a person, $3,359 at PPP, inflation 6.9%2015, $1,489 a person, $3,678 at PPP, inflation 6.6%2016, $1,554 a person, $3,917 at PPP, inflation 6.3%2017, $1,667 a person, $4,177 at PPP, inflation 8%2018, $1,836 a person, $4,412 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2019, $1,960 a person, $4,687 at PPP, inflation 5.2%2020, $1,928 a person, $4,793 at PPP, inflation 5.4%2021, $2,061 a person, $5,339 at PPP, inflation 6.1%2022, $2,110 a person, $5,882 at PPP, inflation 7.7%2023, $1,943 a person, $6,322 at PPP, inflation 7.7%2024, $2,133 a person, $6,650 at PPP, inflation 4.5%2025, $2,363 a person, $7,016 at PPP, inflation 4.1%$0$4.0K$8.0KInflation, % a year30%0200620102015202020252006, $700 a person, $2,330 at PPP, inflation 14.5%2007, $840 a person, $2,481 at PPP, inflation 9.8%2008, $916 a person, $2,459 at PPP, inflation 26.2%2009, $1,048 a person, $2,480 at PPP, inflation 9.2%2010, $1,092 a person, $2,635 at PPP, inflation 4%2011, $1,096 a person, $2,750 at PPP, inflation 14%2012, $1,285 a person, $2,847 at PPP, inflation 9.4%2013, $1,371 a person, $3,106 at PPP, inflation 5.7%2014, $1,483 a person, $3,359 at PPP, inflation 6.9%2015, $1,489 a person, $3,678 at PPP, inflation 6.6%2016, $1,554 a person, $3,917 at PPP, inflation 6.3%2017, $1,667 a person, $4,177 at PPP, inflation 8%2018, $1,836 a person, $4,412 at PPP, inflation 4.7%2019, $1,960 a person, $4,687 at PPP, inflation 5.2%2020, $1,928 a person, $4,793 at PPP, inflation 5.4%2021, $2,061 a person, $5,339 at PPP, inflation 6.1%2022, $2,110 a person, $5,882 at PPP, inflation 7.7%2023, $1,943 a person, $6,322 at PPP, inflation 7.7%2024, $2,133 a person, $6,650 at PPP, inflation 4.5%2025, $2,363 a person, $7,016 at PPP, inflation 4.1%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the shortest life expectancies

Life expectancy
63.8years, at birthVery low
#175 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
57WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100LowWHO · 2023
Air pollution
17.4PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageModerateWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Slow home internet

Unemployment rate
5.4%share of the labour force without a jobWorld Bank · 2025
Home internet
16 Mbpsmedian download speedSlowOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
593EF English Proficiency Index scoreHighEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet16 MbpsSlow
Mobile46 MbpsVery slow

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
$4,583 a month
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
$1,200
  • Tax treatmentLocal rates apply
  • Processing timeAbout 3 days
  • DependantsAllowed
  • Apply onlineYes
  • Path to residencyNo
  • NationalitiesOpen to all
Official page
Scenic skyline view of Nairobi cityscape with iconic skyscrapers and lush greenery.
How it changed

Kenya's Human Development Index

0.628Medium human development

143rd of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 18th of 54 in Africa.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #142Timor-Leste0.634
  2. #143Ghana0.628
  3. #143Kenya0.628
  4. #145Nepal0.622
  5. #146Vanuatu0.621
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.485 in 1990 to 0.628 in 2023.

0.450.550.650.62819902000201020231990: 0.4851991: 0.4851992: 0.4841993: 0.4831994: 0.4841995: 0.4881996: 0.4911997: 0.4931998: 0.4961999: 0.4992000: 0.5002001: 0.5052002: 0.5042003: 0.5152004: 0.5262005: 0.5322006: 0.5412007: 0.5482008: 0.5532009: 0.5532010: 0.5522011: 0.5602012: 0.5652013: 0.5702014: 0.5762015: 0.5832016: 0.5942017: 0.5992018: 0.6052019: 0.6112020: 0.6002021: 0.6082022: 0.6262023: 0.6280.450.550.6519902000201020231990: 0.4851991: 0.4851992: 0.4841993: 0.4831994: 0.4841995: 0.4881996: 0.4911997: 0.4931998: 0.4961999: 0.4992000: 0.5002001: 0.5052002: 0.5042003: 0.5152004: 0.5262005: 0.5322006: 0.5412007: 0.5482008: 0.5532009: 0.5532010: 0.5522011: 0.5602012: 0.5652013: 0.5702014: 0.5762015: 0.5832016: 0.5942017: 0.5992018: 0.6052019: 0.6112020: 0.6002021: 0.6082022: 0.6262023: 0.628

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
63.8 years2024at birthUp 5.3 years from 58.5 years in 2005
Internet users
35%2024of people onlineUp 31 points from 4% in 2006
Urban population
32%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 3 points from 29% in 2006
Births per woman
3.172024births per womanDown 1.63 from 4.80 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
68%2021of energy usedDown 13 points from 80% in 2004
Access to electricity
77%2024of people with electricityUp 53 points from 25% in 2005
Infant mortality
342024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 15 from 50 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
0.4 t2024of CO2 per person a yearUp 0.1 t from 0.3 t in 2005
Forest area
6%2023of land under forestDown 1 point from 7% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

East Africa's business hub and M-Pesa pioneer, with a fast-growing tech scene in Nairobi. The case against is a low peace ranking, short lives and low incomes.

About Kenya

Kenya is East Africa's most visited country, famous for the Masai Mara and its spectacular annual wildebeest migration, but it offers far more than safari, including a beautiful Indian Ocean coastline, the Great Rift Valley lakes, and the highland tea country around Mount Kenya. Nairobi is one of Africa's most dynamic and creative capitals, with a growing arts, food, and tech scene. The warmth of Kenyan people across many different cultural groups is one of the country's most consistent and memorable qualities.

Practical facts

  • CapitalNairobi
  • LanguagesEnglish, Swahili
  • CurrencyKenyan shilling (KES)
  • Area580,876 km²
  • Plug typeType G
  • Drives on theleft
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Borders

EthiopiaSomaliaSouth SudanTanzaniaUganda

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Quick answers

What is Kenya's Human Development Index?

Kenya's Human Development Index is 0.628 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #143 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Kenya safe?

Kenya scores 2.45 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #131 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Kenya?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Kenya at 28.9 (New York = 100); that is #25 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Kenya?

Life expectancy at birth in Kenya is 63.8 yrs (World Bank), ranked #175 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Kenya?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Kenya at 99.4, ranked #75 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.