Adoption of communication technologies in Kenya
Kenya: Adoption of communication technologies was 57,017 in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Adoption of communication technologies in Kenya, 1965–2024
Source: International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for adoption of communication technologies in Kenya is 57,017, measured in 2024.
That represents a change of down 16.0% on the previous year and down 68.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, adoption of communication technologies in Kenya peaked at 664,099 in 2009 and was at its lowest, 28,000, in 1965.
Kenya ranks 149th of 212 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Adoption of communication technologies in Kenya, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | 28,000 | — |
| 1966 | 28,000 | +0.0% |
| 1967 | 28,000 | +0.0% |
| 1968 | 28,000 | +0.0% |
| 1969 | 28,000 | +0.0% |
| 1970 | 39,000 | +39.3% |
| 1971 | 39,000 | +0.0% |
| 1972 | 39,000 | +0.0% |
| 1973 | 39,000 | +0.0% |
| 1974 | 39,000 | +0.0% |
| 1975 | 53,000 | +35.9% |
| 1976 | 57,000 | +7.5% |
| 1977 | 62,400 | +9.5% |
| 1978 | 65,300 | +4.6% |
| 1979 | 69,700 | +6.7% |
| 1980 | 73,900 | +6.0% |
| 1981 | 80,200 | +8.5% |
| 1982 | 88,100 | +9.9% |
| 1983 | 95,700 | +8.6% |
| 1984 | 106,100 | +10.9% |
| 1985 | 118,361 | +11.6% |
| 1986 | 129,453 | +9.4% |
| 1987 | 137,505 | +6.2% |
| 1988 | 151,964 | +10.5% |
| 1989 | 162,894 | +7.2% |
| 1990 | 175,050 | +7.5% |
| 1991 | 200,000 | +14.3% |
| 1992 | 207,442 | +3.7% |
| 1993 | 214,759 | +3.5% |
| 1994 | 228,522 | +6.4% |
| 1995 | 256,434 | +12.2% |
| 1996 | 266,780 | +4.0% |
| 1997 | 271,816 | +1.9% |
| 1998 | 288,251 | +6.0% |
| 1999 | 290,000 | +0.6% |
| 2000 | 291,706 | +0.6% |
| 2001 | 309,379 | +6.1% |
| 2002 | 321,482 | +3.9% |
| 2003 | 328,358 | +2.1% |
| 2004 | 299,255 | -8.9% |
| 2005 | 286,729 | -4.2% |
| 2006 | 293,364 | +2.3% |
| 2007 | 463,766 | +58.1% |
| 2008 | 646,356 | +39.4% |
| 2009 | 664,099 | +2.7% |
| 2010 | 380,748 | -42.7% |
| 2011 | 283,546 | -25.5% |
| 2012 | 251,567 | -11.3% |
| 2013 | 204,354 | -18.8% |
| 2014 | 179,990 | -11.9% |
| 2015 | 85,496 | -52.5% |
| 2016 | 72,801 | -14.8% |
| 2017 | 69,861 | -4.0% |
| 2018 | 65,644 | -6.0% |
| 2019 | 70,394 | +7.2% |
| 2020 | 66,646 | -5.3% |
| 2021 | 61,096 | -8.3% |
| 2022 | 63,107 | +3.3% |
| 2023 | 67,840 | +7.5% |
| 2024 | 57,017 | -16.0% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 57,017 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 102,714, 56% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 57,017 is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 56,011, 1.0× the median. (48 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Adoption of communication technologies in Kenya changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2015 | -52.5% | 179,990 | 85,496 |
| 2007 | +58.1% | 293,364 | 463,766 |
| 2010 | -42.7% | 664,099 | 380,748 |
| 1970 | +39.3% | 28,000 | 39,000 |
| 2008 | +39.4% | 463,766 | 646,356 |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1960s | 28,000 | 28,000 | 28,000 | 5 |
| 1970s | 50,240 | 39,000 | 69,700 | 10 |
| 1980s | 114,418 | 73,900 | 162,894 | 10 |
| 1990s | 239,905 | 175,050 | 290,000 | 10 |
| 2000s | 390,449 | 286,729 | 664,099 | 10 |
| 2010s | 166,440 | 65,644 | 380,748 | 10 |
| 2020s | 63,141 | 57,017 | 67,840 | 5 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 146 Gabon 67,119 compare
- 147 French Polynesia 65,969 compare
- 148 Cape Verde 61,294 compare
- 150 Somalia 55,005 compare
- 151 Andorra 53,215 compare
- 152 New Caledonia 46,570 compare
More reference data data for Kenya
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.5379 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 12.22 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 14.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.377 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 14.55 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 1.8 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 1.1 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 58.05 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 68.95 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 2.05 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is adoption of communication technologies in Kenya?
- Adoption of communication technologies in Kenya was 57,017 in 2024, according to International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 664,099 in 2009.
- What is the lowest adoption of communication technologies recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 28,000 in 1965.
- How does Kenya rank for adoption of communication technologies?
- Kenya ranks 149th out of 212 countries with data for 2024.
- Is adoption of communication technologies rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 68.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from International Telecommunication Union (ITU), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Adoption of communication technologies. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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