Rise in urban population a good sign, say experts

When releasing 2009 census results last week, Planning, National Development and Vision 2030 minister Wycliffe Oparanya said Kenya is adding a million people yearly to its already high population.

This high rate of population growth, he said, has adverse effects on spending on infrastructure, health, education, environment, water and other social and economic sectors.

“In order for the government to achieve Vision 2030 goals, there is need to invest in education to meet the demands of the growing school age population and the demand for future manpower,” said the minister.

Improve Kenya’s welfare

“In addition, critical investment will be required in family planning services, health and other social and economic sectors to improve the welfare of Kenyans.”

The total population aged five years and above is 32.7 million with males accounting for 50 per cent. Of these, the economically active population is 18 million (15.8 million employed and 2.2 million seeking work).

The inactive population is 12.8 million of which 7.2 million are females. About 1.9 million are in the last category of “undetermined” and comprise those who for some unspecified reasons never reported their activity status.

Proportion of the active population aged five years and above declined to 58 per cent in 2009 compared to 66 per cent in 1999. Males account for 53 per cent of the active population.

Similarly, the proportion of employed declined to 88 per cent in 2009 compared to 92 per cent in 1999. The proportion of the inactive population within the same period has risen from 34 per cent to 42 per cent with the largest proportion being full time students.

Females account for 56 per cent of the officially inactive population. The urban population accounts for 33 per cent of people aged five years and above. Of the active population, about three in 10 are in the urban areas. About one of every three persons in urban areas is active.