The recently released Kenya Demographic Health Survey (KDHS) 2022, conducted by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) and Ministry of Health (MoH), has unveiled crucial insights that hold significant implications for Kenya’s retirement industry.
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One notable finding from the survey is the decline in the total fertility rate (TFR), which currently stands at 3.4 children per woman. This marks a significant decrease of over 12 percent since 2014 and a significant 50.0% drop since the 1977-78 record. Like many other countries, Kenya is witnessing shifts in its population structure, characterized by a gradual reduction in fertility rates. This trend leads to a smaller working-age population relative to the increasing number of retirees, posing challenges for pension systems as there will be fewer contributors to support a growing number of pensioners.
The survey also highlights improvements in healthcare, access to medical services, and better living conditions, resulting in longer life expectancies. While longer lives are undoubtedly a positive outcome, they necessitate careful retirement planning that may span several decades.
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These demographic changes hold far-reaching implications for retirement and pension systems in Kenya, prompting the need for proactive measures to ensure their sustainability and adequacy. The pension industry finds itself at a critical juncture, requiring adaptations and changes to effectively navigate the evolving demographic landscape. Proactive steps are essential to ensure that the retirement industry can adequately support the ageing population and maintain financial security for retirees.
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