This archive report was first published on 12 July 2020.
On July 11, 2020, the world marked World Population Day, a reminder of the pressing need to address socio-economic challenges and improve the well-being of the people.
With a population of over 53 million, Kenya is facing a daunting task in providing for its citizens. The rapid population growth has had a devastating impact on economic development, as the growing numbers fuel the scramble for sustenance, stretching available resources to the limit.
Another consequence of the rapid population growth is the intense rural-urban migration, which has led to the growth of slums in urban areas, where people live in appalling squalor. The situation is bound to get worse as the population growth intensifies, with a high dependency ratio, overcrowding, and inadequate health systems.
Experts warn that if Kenya wants to earn a demographic dividend, it needs to bring fertility below three children per family and boost urbanisation. A rapidly growing population poses significant challenges with regard to housing and rising unemployment, which could lead to social unrest.
However, it is not all gloom and doom. A large urbanising and well-educated population can yield a strong middle class and vibrant private sector. Population is also the greatest resource for a country seeking sustainable growth.
Kenya must thus continue to make efforts to ensure that this potential resource does not become a curse.
