Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Kenya
Kenya: Central government revenues as a share of GDP was 18.6% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Kenya, 2014–2023
Source: International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of GDP.
Analysis
In 2023, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Kenya stood at 18.6%.
That represents a change of up 4.2% on the previous year and down 4.7% over ten years.
Over the whole period, central government revenues as a share of gdp in Kenya peaked at 21.1% in 2017 and was at its lowest, 17.3%, in 2021.
Kenya ranks 113th of 157 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
Central government revenues as a share of GDP in Kenya, year by year
| Year | % of GDP | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2014 | 19.6% | — |
| 2015 | 19.4% | -1.1% |
| 2016 | 19.1% | -1.5% |
| 2017 | 21.1% | +10.9% |
| 2018 | 18.7% | -11.7% |
| 2019 | 19.1% | +2.2% |
| 2020 | 17.7% | -7.5% |
| 2021 | 17.3% | -1.8% |
| 2022 | 17.9% | +3.1% |
| 2023 | 18.6% | +4.2% |
Kenya compared with similar countries
- Kenya's 18.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 19.7%, 95% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Kenya's 18.6% is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 15.8%, 1.2× the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 19.5% | 18.7% | 21.1% | 6 |
| 2020s | 17.9% | 17.3% | 18.6% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Kenya
More economy & growth data for Kenya
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 3.28 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 5.26 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 417.66 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0035 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 7.4 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 463.44 million BoP, current US$ (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -8.77 % change on previous year (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0038 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2024)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 8.21 BoP, current US$ per person (2024)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 23.12 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is central government revenues as a share of gdp in Kenya?
- Central government revenues as a share of gdp in Kenya was 18.6% in 2023, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Kenya?
- The highest recorded value was 21.1% in 2017.
- What is the lowest central government revenues as a share of gdp recorded in Kenya?
- The lowest recorded value was 17.3% in 2021.
- How does Kenya rank for central government revenues as a share of gdp?
- Kenya ranks 113th out of 157 countries with data for 2023.
- Is central government revenues as a share of gdp rising or falling in Kenya?
- Over the last ten years it is down 4.7%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Kenya data come from?
- The figures come from International Monetary Fund (IMF) Government Finance Statistics, via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Central government revenues as a share of GDP. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Taxes, social contributions, and other revenues such as fines, fees, rent, and income from property or sales included. Grants excluded.