Kenya · Africa
How many people die in Kenya every day?
In Kenya, about 959 people die every day, roughly one death every 2 minutes. That is about 350,000 deaths a year, 0.6% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 31st highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 62.1 years and the leading cause of death is hiv/aids. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
959
Deaths per year
350,000
Life expectancy
62.1 years
Population
55,100,586
Death rate
6.4 per 1,000
Top cause of death
HIV/AIDS
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Kenya
62.1
World avg
72.8
-10.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Kenya
6.4
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Kenya by time period
| Per hour | 40 |
| Per day | 959 |
| Per week | 6,712 |
| Per month | 29,167 |
| Per year | 350,000 |
What people die of in Kenya
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Kenya in 2023 was pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections, which accounted for 10% of all deaths, about 88 a day. It was followed by HIV/AIDS and road injuries.
Deaths from kidney diseases have increased about 4-fold since 2000, from about 3,692 to 15,326 a year. Deaths from HIV/AIDS have fallen by 81% since 2000, from about 110,989 to 21,122 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 32,012 | 88 | 10% | +27% |
| 2 | HIV/AIDS | 21,122 | 58 | 6.6% | -81% |
| 3 | Road injuries | 19,360 | 53 | 6.1% | +178% |
| 4 | Stroke | 15,518 | 43 | 4.9% | +183% |
| 5 | Tuberculosis | 15,476 | 42 | 4.9% | +25% |
| 6 | Kidney diseases | 15,326 | 42 | 4.8% | +315% |
| 7 | Diabetes | 13,365 | 37 | 4.2% | +313% |
| 8 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 13,196 | 36 | 4.1% | -42% |
| 9 | Preterm birth complications | 11,569 | 32 | 3.6% | +19% |
| 10 | Malaria | 11,478 | 31 | 3.6% | -2% |
Deaths in Kenya since 2000
WHO estimates that about 318,971 people died in Kenya in 2023, 8% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 296,038 deaths |
| 2010 | 285,001 deaths |
| 2019 | 306,959 deaths |
| 2023 | 318,971 deaths |
Life expectancy in Kenya since 1950
A baby born in Kenya in 1950 could expect to live about 36.9 years. By 2023 that had risen to 63.6, a gain of 26.7 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 36.9 years |
| 1980 | 59.2 years |
| 2000 | 56.1 years |
| 2010 | 60.9 years |
| 2019 | 62.9 years |
| 2023 | 63.6 years |
Kenya compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Kenya ranks 24th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kenya | 959 | 62.1 | HIV/AIDS |
| South Africa | 1,397 | 62.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Uganda | 849 | 62.7 | HIV/AIDS |
| Sudan | 904 | 65.3 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Tanzania | 1,123 | 66.2 | HIV/AIDS |
| Algeria | 540 | 76.4 | Cardiovascular disease |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Kenya every day?
In Kenya, about 959 people die every day, or roughly one death every 2 minutes. That adds up to about 350,000 deaths a year, 0.6% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Kenya?
HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death in Kenya. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections first in 2023, with 10% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Kenya?
Life expectancy at birth in Kenya is 62.1 years, 10.7 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 167th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Kenya high?
Kenya records about 6.4 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.