This archive report was first published on 17 December 2019.
Kenya's economic growth, measured by the country's gross domestic product (GDP), has been a topic of debate in recent years. While official statistics show growth, many citizens are not feeling the benefits. One possible explanation is that economic growth is not being felt by the majority, but rather by the affluent.
According to a recent article in The Standard, the number of golfers in Kenya may be a more accurate indicator of economic prosperity than GDP. The article suggests that the number of golfers has been steadily increasing since 2007, with an average growth rate of 5.38% from 2008 to 2019, compared to GDP's 5.16% for the same period.
However, the article also notes that the number of golfers decreased in 2009 and 2018, despite the economy being in a good state. This could suggest that economic data has been 'cooked' or manipulated. The article also raises questions about who joins golf clubs and why, and whether this affects the accuracy of the data.
Despite these limitations, the article suggests that the number of golfers may be a useful indicator of economic growth, particularly in the context of Kenya's economy. The article also notes that golf courses are often seen as a status symbol, and that the number of golf courses in a town can be an indicator of its affluence.
Ultimately, the article is a satirical look at the relationship between economic growth and the number of golfers in Kenya, and is not meant to be taken seriously. However, it does raise some interesting questions about the nature of economic growth and how it is measured.
