Living in KenyaAn East African country with highland cities that stay mild all year, wildlife parks, Indian Ocean coast and a tech scene in Nairobi. Editorial
The numbers
Main city climate19° to 22°CColdest and warmest month averages, Nairobi · 2020
Average temperature20.1°CNairobi (whole country 25.0°C) · 2020
Price level35%Of US prices for everyday goods and services · 2025
Average spending$436Per person per month (international $, PPP) · 2025
Income per person$7,000GDP per person a year (international $, PPP) · 2025
Unemployment5.4%Of the labour force · 2025
Homicides4.9Per 100,000 people a year · 2022
Life expectancy63.8 yearsAt birth · 2024
Clean air20 µg/m³Average fine-particle pollution (WHO guideline: 5) · 2023
Forest7%Of the land area · 2024
City dwellers32%Of people live in cities and towns · 2025
Tax revenue14.1%Of GDP · 2023
Language and getting around Editorial
- Languages: English, Swahili. English is an official language.
- Public transport: Limited: daily life mostly needs a car or taxis.
- Geography: Has a coastline, with mountain areas. Capital: Nairobi.
Moving to Kenya
Visa and residence rules depend on your nationality, job, studies and family, and they change often. Start with the government's own website: immigration.go.ke.
Sources
| Indicator | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP per person (PPP) | 7,015.94 international $ | 2025 | World Bank WDI |
| Unemployment | 5.45 % of labour force | 2025 | World Bank WDI (ILO estimate) |
| Intentional homicides | 4.87 per 100,000 people | 2022 | World Bank WDI (UNODC) |
| Political stability and absence of violence | -1.12 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Government effectiveness (public services) | -0.09 score, -2.5 to 2.5 | 2025 | Worldwide Governance Indicators |
| Life expectancy at birth | 63.83 years | 2024 | World Bank WDI |
| Health spending per person | 84.96 US$ per person | 2023 | World Bank WDI (WHO) |
| Tax revenue | 14.06 % of GDP | 2023 | World Bank WDI (IMF) |
| People living in cities and towns | 32.21 % of population | 2025 | World Bank WDI (UN) |
| Forest area | 6.63 % of land | 2024 | World Bank WDI (FAO) |
| Fine-particle air pollution (PM2.5) | 20.25 µg/m³, annual mean | 2023 | World Bank WDI |
| Price level of household goods and services | 0.35 ratio, United States = 1 | 2025 | Calculated: PPP conversion factor (private consumption) / official exchange rate, World Bank WDI |
| Average household spending per person | 435.5 international $ per person per month | 2025 | Calculated: household consumption (PPP) / population / 12, World Bank WDI |
| Average temperature, whole country 1991-2020 | 25 °C | 2020 | World Bank Climate Change Knowledge Portal (CRU TS 4.08, 1991-2020) |
| Average temperature, main city | 20.1 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Coldest month average, main city | 18.7 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Warmest month average, main city | 21.6 °C | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
| Rainfall, main city | 602 mm per year | 2020 | NASA POWER climatology, main city |
Data checked 2 November 2026. National averages hide differences between cities and regions. Climate figures for Nairobi are 2001–2020 averages.
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