Kenya Remittance Statistics 2025: How Much Money Flows Into Kenya
Remittances are one of Kenya's largest sources of foreign exchange, exceeding tourism and foreign investment. Here's what the data shows.
The Big Picture
Annual Remittance Inflows
| 2019 | $2.82 billion | +3.7% |
| 2020 | $3.09 billion | +9.6% |
| 2021 | $3.72 billion | +20.4% |
| 2022 | $4.03 billion | +8.3% |
| 2023 | $4.19 billion | +4.0% |
| 2024 (est.) | $4.40 billion | +5.0% |
Monthly Averages
- 2024 average: ~$370 million per month
- Peak months: December (holidays), January (school fees)
- Growth trend: Consistent year-over-year increases
Where the Money Comes From
Top Sending Countries
| Country | Share | Amount (est.) |
| United States | 52% | $2.3 billion |
| United Kingdom | 12% | $530 million |
| Other Europe | 10% | $440 million |
| UAE | 8% | $350 million |
| Canada | 5% | $220 million |
| Australia | 4% | $175 million |
| Other | 9% | $395 million |
Regional Breakdown
North America: ~57%
- United States: 52%
- Canada: 5%
Europe: ~22%
- UK: 12%
- Germany, Netherlands, etc.: 10%
Middle East: ~10%
- UAE: 8%
- Saudi Arabia, Qatar: 2%
Other: ~11%
How Remittances Compare
Kenya's Foreign Exchange Sources
| Source | Annual Amount | % of Total |
| Remittances | $4.4 billion | 40% |
| Tourism | $2.5 billion | 23% |
| Tea exports | $1.4 billion | 13% |
| Horticulture | $1.2 billion | 11% |
| Coffee exports | $0.3 billion | 3% |
| Other | $1.1 billion | 10% |
Remittances are Kenya's #1 source of foreign exchange.
Remittances vs. GDP
- Kenya's GDP: ~$115 billion
- Remittances: ~$4.4 billion
- Remittances as % of GDP: ~3.8%
The Kenyan Diaspora
Estimated Population
| United States | 150,000-200,000 |
| United Kingdom | 100,000-150,000 |
| Canada | 30,000-50,000 |
| Australia | 20,000-30,000 |
| UAE | 20,000-30,000 |
| Germany | 15,000-20,000 |
| South Africa | 10,000-15,000 |
| Total diaspora | ~500,000-700,000 |
Average Sending Behavior
| % of diaspora sending money | 70-80% |
| Average send frequency | Monthly |
| Average amount per transfer | $300-500 |
| Annual per sender | $3,600-6,000 |
Transfer Channels
How Money is Sent
| Digital transfers (apps) | 65% | Growing rapidly |
| Bank transfers | 20% | Stable |
| Cash-based (WU, MG) | 15% | Declining |
Digital Growth
- 2019: ~40% digital
- 2024: ~65% digital
- 2027 (projected): ~80% digital
Popular Digital Services
In order of volume to Kenya:
- WorldRemit
- Sendwave
- Remitly
- Wise
- Others
What Remittances Are Used For
Recipient Usage
| Daily expenses | 35% |
| Education/school fees | 25% |
| Healthcare | 15% |
| Investment/savings | 12% |
| Housing/rent | 8% |
| Business capital | 5% |
Seasonal Patterns
| January | School fees peak |
| April-May | School fees (Term 2) |
| August-September | School fees (Term 3) |
| December | Holidays, family events |
Economic Impact
Direct Benefits
- Household income: Supports millions of families
- Education: Finances school fees
- Healthcare: Pays for medical expenses
- Housing: Funds construction and rent
Broader Effects
- Foreign exchange: Stabilizes the shilling
- Banking sector: Increases deposits
- Consumer spending: Drives retail economy
- Investment: Funds small businesses, property
Poverty Reduction
Studies show remittances have:
- Reduced poverty rates in recipient households
- Improved educational outcomes for children
- Increased healthcare access
- Enabled asset accumulation
Transfer Costs
Average Cost to Send $200 to Kenya
| Year | Average Cost | % of Transfer |
| 2015 | $18.60 | 9.3% |
| 2018 | $15.20 | 7.6% |
| 2021 | $10.80 | 5.4% |
| 2024 | $7.00 | 3.5% |
Cost by Provider Type
| Provider Type | Average Cost |
| Digital apps | 2-4% |
| Banks | 6-10% |
| Cash-based | 5-8% |
UN SDG Target
- Target: Under 3% by 2030
- Kenya corridor: Approaching target
- Best providers: Already under 2%
Future Projections
Growth Forecast
| 2025 | $4.6 billion |
| 2026 | $4.9 billion |
| 2027 | $5.2 billion |
| 2030 | $6.0 billion |
Drivers of Growth
- Growing diaspora population
- Increasing digital adoption
- Lower transfer costs
- Kenya economic ties
- Improved infrastructure
Potential Challenges
- Economic slowdowns in source countries
- Immigration policy changes
- Currency fluctuations
- Competition from crypto
Comparison with Other African Countries
Remittances by Country (2024)
| Country | Remittances | % of GDP |
| Nigeria | $20.5 billion | 4.0% |
| Egypt | $19.5 billion | 4.8% |
| Morocco | $11.0 billion | 8.0% |
| Ghana | $4.7 billion | 6.0% |
| Kenya | $4.4 billion | 3.8% |
| Senegal | $3.0 billion | 10.0% |
Kenya ranks 5th in Africa by total volume.
Key Takeaways
- $4.4 billion annually flows to Kenya in remittances
- 52% comes from the US, making it the dominant corridor
- 65% now sent digitally, up from 40% five years ago
- Transfer costs have halved in the past decade
- Remittances are Kenya's #1 foreign exchange source
What This Means for You
If you're sending money to Kenya, you're part of a massive flow that:
- Supports millions of Kenyan families
- Keeps the economy running
- Has better options than ever (lower costs, faster transfers)
- Is growing every year
Every transfer you make contributes to Kenya's development and your family's wellbeing.
Find the best way to send your contribution via our comparison tool.