Childhood stunting rates in Kenya
Kenya: Childhood stunting rates was 24.5% in 2015. ▼ Falling
Childhood stunting rates in Kenya, 1975–2015
Source: Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for childhood stunting rates in Kenya is 24.5%, measured in 2015. That is the lowest value across all 5 years on record.
The figure is down 30.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in Kenya peaked at 43.8% in 1985 and was at its lowest, 24.5%, in 2015.
Kenya ranks 9th of 34 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Childhood stunting rates in Kenya, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1975 | 43.1% | — |
| 1985 | 43.8% | +1.6% |
| 1995 | 42.5% | -3.0% |
| 2005 | 35.1% | -17.4% |
| 2015 | 24.5% | -30.3% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 24.5% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 24.5%, 100% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 24.5% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 24.5%, 1.0× the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1970s | 43.1% | 43.1% | 43.1% | 1 |
| 1980s | 43.8% | 43.8% | 43.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 42.5% | 42.5% | 42.5% | 1 |
| 2000s | 35.1% | 35.1% | 35.1% | 1 |
| 2010s | 24.5% | 24.5% | 24.5% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
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 childhood stunting rates in Kenya?
- Childhood stunting rates in Kenya was 24.5% in 2015, according to Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest childhood stunting rates recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 43.8% in 1985.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 24.5% in 2015.
- How does Kenya rank for childhood stunting rates?
- Kenya ranks 9th out of 34 countries with data for 2015.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 30.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Childhood stunting rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of children between 2 and 10 years old who are stunted, so shorter than would be expected for their age. Stunting is a sign of long-term malnutrition or poor health in early childhood.