Kenya has witnessed sharp decrease in fertility rate causing anxiety on the imminent population decline. According to 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS), the country’s population is likely to decrease since fertility rate is the major determinant of a country’s population especially Kenya. Decline in fertility means a shrinking population which causes anxiety.
The ageing population challenges of the developed world are likely to be experienced in Kenya in a few decades to come.
Developed countries like Germany and Japan are facing a looming population crisis as a result of poor population management. With ageing population, the country may experience increased pressure on health services, increased competition for jobs or decreased participation in the workforce, potential less funding for young people, and an increased dependency ratio.
Despite the high fertility levels in some counties in Kenya, like Wajir, Turkana and West Pokot, there’s a general decline in fertility at national level.
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KDHS and KPHC has shown that there has been a decreased fertility rate from an average of 3.9 in 2014 to 3.4 children per woman in 2022 compared to the 1970s where there was a rapid fertility increase. The fertility ratio seems to be higher among women in rural areas and less to those in urban areas.
The 2022 survey results showed that the country has made progress on several fronts regarding health and fertility control for a positive course.
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There has been improvement on controlled teenage pregnancy with a reduction of 18 percent to 15 percent among women aged 15-19 over the past years, marking a major improvement since the situation has always been troubling as it is associated with several difficulties.
Family planning introduction has also played vital role in reducing unplanned pregnancies. According to the reports, Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) has registered an improvement in utilization of various family planning methods among married women aged 15-49. The increase usage of planning among married woman is at 63 percent compared to the past years.
An increase population of youth can be catastrophic if not well managed. With many young people working the dependency rate will decrease thus a stable environment as many of them will be employed, but in a Kenyan situation, there is a high number of unemployed youth. A huge number of frustrated youth can be a source of social and political instability according to National Council for Population and Development (NCPD).
Although legal frameworks have been put for the youth to participate on national development matters and creation of a safe environment for them, these legal frameworks, policies and programmes have not been adequately implemented.
