Urban area over the long-term in Kenya
Kenya: Urban area over the long-term was 1,567 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
1,567 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 3.2%
World rank
79th
of 202 countries
All-time high
1,567 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.0006 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Kenya, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
In 2025, urban area over the long-term in Kenya stood at 1,567 km² per grid cell. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 3.2% on the previous year and up 40.6% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Kenya peaked at 1,567 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.0006 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
That places Kenya 79th out of 202 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Kenya, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0021 km² per grid cell | +252.5% |
| 1200 | 0.0072 km² per grid cell | +244.7% |
| 1300 | 0.0243 km² per grid cell | +238.9% |
| 1400 | 0.0811 km² per grid cell | +234.4% |
| 1500 | 0.2683 km² per grid cell | +230.8% |
| 1600 | 0.9368 km² per grid cell | +249.1% |
| 1700 | 3.13 km² per grid cell | +233.7% |
| 1710 | 3.66 km² per grid cell | +16.9% |
| 1720 | 4.14 km² per grid cell | +13.3% |
| 1730 | 4.68 km² per grid cell | +12.9% |
| 1740 | 5.26 km² per grid cell | +12.6% |
| 1750 | 5.91 km² per grid cell | +12.2% |
| 1760 | 6.6 km² per grid cell | +11.8% |
| 1770 | 7.35 km² per grid cell | +11.4% |
| 1780 | 8.16 km² per grid cell | +11.0% |
| 1790 | 9.02 km² per grid cell | +10.6% |
| 1800 | 9.93 km² per grid cell | +10.1% |
| 1810 | 10.9 km² per grid cell | +9.7% |
| 1820 | 11.91 km² per grid cell | +9.3% |
| 1830 | 12.98 km² per grid cell | +8.9% |
| 1840 | 14.08 km² per grid cell | +8.5% |
| 1850 | 15.24 km² per grid cell | +8.2% |
| 1860 | 16.99 km² per grid cell | +11.5% |
| 1870 | 18.91 km² per grid cell | +11.3% |
| 1880 | 21.23 km² per grid cell | +12.2% |
| 1890 | 23.79 km² per grid cell | +12.1% |
| 1900 | 23.79 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1910 | 23.79 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1920 | 23.79 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 28.78 km² per grid cell | +21.0% |
| 1940 | 34.55 km² per grid cell | +20.1% |
| 1950 | 43.19 km² per grid cell | +25.0% |
| 1951 | 45.39 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1952 | 47.74 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1953 | 50.22 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1954 | 52.88 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1955 | 55.69 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1956 | 58.68 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1957 | 61.83 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1958 | 65.19 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1959 | 68.75 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1960 | 72.53 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1961 | 76.55 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1962 | 80.82 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1963 | 85.9 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 1964 | 91.4 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1965 | 97.26 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1966 | 103.53 km² per grid cell | +6.4% |
| 1967 | 110.25 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1968 | 117.43 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1969 | 125.13 km² per grid cell | +6.6% |
| 1970 | 134.84 km² per grid cell | +7.8% |
| 1971 | 145.12 km² per grid cell | +7.6% |
| 1972 | 156.54 km² per grid cell | +7.9% |
| 1973 | 169.18 km² per grid cell | +8.1% |
| 1974 | 183.15 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1975 | 198.56 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1976 | 213.88 km² per grid cell | +7.7% |
| 1977 | 230.7 km² per grid cell | +7.9% |
| 1978 | 249.26 km² per grid cell | +8.0% |
| 1979 | 269.71 km² per grid cell | +8.2% |
| 1980 | 285.52 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1981 | 299.31 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1982 | 314.31 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1983 | 330.4 km² per grid cell | +5.1% |
| 1984 | 347.53 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1985 | 365.55 km² per grid cell | +5.2% |
| 1986 | 382.98 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1987 | 401.23 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1988 | 420.34 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1989 | 440.29 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1990 | 458.26 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1991 | 475.64 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1992 | 493.58 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 1993 | 511.87 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1994 | 530.31 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 1995 | 548.76 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1996 | 567.8 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1997 | 586.87 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 1998 | 606.26 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1999 | 626.33 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2000 | 647.35 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2001 | 670.76 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2002 | 694.88 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2003 | 719.8 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2004 | 745.57 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2005 | 772.25 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2006 | 799.9 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2007 | 828.5 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2008 | 858.04 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2009 | 888.49 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2010 | 901.18 km² per grid cell | +1.4% |
| 2011 | 942.18 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 2012 | 983.99 km² per grid cell | +4.4% |
| 2013 | 1,027 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 2014 | 1,070 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2015 | 1,114 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2016 | 1,157 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 2017 | 1,199 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2018 | 1,242 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2019 | 1,286 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2020 | 1,331 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 2021 | 1,376 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2022 | 1,423 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2023 | 1,470 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2024 | 1,518 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2025 | 1,567 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 1,567 km² per grid cell is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 1.9× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 1,567 km² per grid cell is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 733.88 km² per grid cell, 2.1× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +252.5% | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0021 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +249.1% | 0.2683 km² per grid cell | 0.9368 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +244.7% | 0.0021 km² per grid cell | 0.0072 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +238.9% | 0.0072 km² per grid cell | 0.0243 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +234.4% | 0.0243 km² per grid cell | 0.0811 km² per grid cell |
| 1700 | +233.7% | 0.9368 km² per grid cell | 3.13 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 0.0006 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0021 km² per grid cell | 0.0021 km² per grid cell | 0.0021 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0072 km² per grid cell | 0.0072 km² per grid cell | 0.0072 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.0243 km² per grid cell | 0.0243 km² per grid cell | 0.0243 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.0811 km² per grid cell | 0.0811 km² per grid cell | 0.0811 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 0.2683 km² per grid cell | 0.2683 km² per grid cell | 0.2683 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 0.9368 km² per grid cell | 0.9368 km² per grid cell | 0.9368 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 3.13 km² per grid cell | 3.13 km² per grid cell | 3.13 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 3.66 km² per grid cell | 3.66 km² per grid cell | 3.66 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 4.14 km² per grid cell | 4.14 km² per grid cell | 4.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 4.68 km² per grid cell | 4.68 km² per grid cell | 4.68 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 5.26 km² per grid cell | 5.26 km² per grid cell | 5.26 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 5.91 km² per grid cell | 5.91 km² per grid cell | 5.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 6.6 km² per grid cell | 6.6 km² per grid cell | 6.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 7.35 km² per grid cell | 7.35 km² per grid cell | 7.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 8.16 km² per grid cell | 8.16 km² per grid cell | 8.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 9.02 km² per grid cell | 9.02 km² per grid cell | 9.02 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 9.93 km² per grid cell | 9.93 km² per grid cell | 9.93 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 10.9 km² per grid cell | 10.9 km² per grid cell | 10.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 11.91 km² per grid cell | 11.91 km² per grid cell | 11.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 12.98 km² per grid cell | 12.98 km² per grid cell | 12.98 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 14.08 km² per grid cell | 14.08 km² per grid cell | 14.08 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 15.24 km² per grid cell | 15.24 km² per grid cell | 15.24 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 16.99 km² per grid cell | 16.99 km² per grid cell | 16.99 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 18.91 km² per grid cell | 18.91 km² per grid cell | 18.91 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 21.23 km² per grid cell | 21.23 km² per grid cell | 21.23 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 23.79 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 28.78 km² per grid cell | 28.78 km² per grid cell | 28.78 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 34.55 km² per grid cell | 34.55 km² per grid cell | 34.55 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 54.96 km² per grid cell | 43.19 km² per grid cell | 68.75 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 96.08 km² per grid cell | 72.53 km² per grid cell | 125.13 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 195.09 km² per grid cell | 134.84 km² per grid cell | 269.71 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 358.74 km² per grid cell | 285.52 km² per grid cell | 440.29 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 540.57 km² per grid cell | 458.26 km² per grid cell | 626.33 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 762.55 km² per grid cell | 647.35 km² per grid cell | 888.49 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 1,092 km² per grid cell | 901.18 km² per grid cell | 1,286 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 1,448 km² per grid cell | 1,331 km² per grid cell | 1,567 km² per grid cell | 6 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
- 76 Israel 1,604 km² per grid cell compare
- 77 Azerbaijan 1,594 km² per grid cell compare
- 78 Belarus 1,590 km² per grid cell compare
- 80 Mozambique 1,550 km² per grid cell compare
- 81 Burkina Faso 1,502 km² per grid cell compare
- 82 Bolivia 1,418 km² per grid cell 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 urban area over the long-term in Kenya?
- Urban area over the long-term in Kenya was 1,567 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 1,567 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.0006 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Kenya rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Kenya ranks 79th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is up 40.6%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 108 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.