Kenya fertility rate falls to 3 children per woman from 4 in 2022 – KNBS

NAIROBI, Kenya, Nov 3 – Kenyan women are having fewer children, with the country’s fertility rate declining to three children per woman from four recorded in 2022, according to the latest Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) survey.

The decline points to a continued shift in family sizes across the country, with women in urban areas recording significantly lower fertility rates than their rural counterparts.

The 2025/2026 Kenya Mini Demographic and Health Survey shows that the fertility rate in urban areas stands at 2.6 children per woman, compared to 3.6 children among women in rural areas.

The findings highlight the persistent differences in reproductive patterns between urban and rural populations, with location remaining a significant factor influencing family sizes.

The survey was conducted across all 47 counties to provide updated population and health indicators to support national and county-level planning.

KNBS Acting Director General Benjamin Avusevwa said the mini survey was designed to bridge the information gap between the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) and the next comprehensive exercise.

“The Mini DHS is a bridge between the 2022 KDHS and the next full DHS,” Avusevwa said.

The latest findings provide policymakers with updated evidence on population trends, reproductive health and development priorities, helping guide interventions in healthcare, education and other social sectors.