Nairobi women record lowest fertility rate as married men desire more children

According to the Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2022 the Total Fertility Rate (TFR) in Kenya is 3.4 children per woman, which is a decline from 3.9 children in 2014.

The survey showed that Nairobi City has the lowest fertility rate of 2.6 children, followed by Nyamira and Machakos at 2.7 and 2.8 children respectively. 

Other counties that recorded a low fertility rate include Kirinyaga (2.8), Mombasa (2.9) and Kiambu (2.9). 

On the other hand, counties with the highest fertility rate are Mandera (7.7), West Pokot (6.9), Wajir (6.8) and Marsabit (6.3). 

While women in rural areas are likely to have an average of 3.9 children, their counterparts in urban areas would have 2.8 children by the end of their childbearing years. 

The survey showed that the fertility rate declines with increase in level of education, where women with no education would get 6.3 children, while those with more than secondary school education will have 2.8 children. 

“TFR declines with increase in wealth quintile, from 5.3 children for women in the lowest wealth quintile to 2.7 children for women in the highest wealth quintile,” the survey further indicates. 

In regards to the desire for another child, the survey showed that more married men want to have another child. 

Irrespective of the number of children one has, a higher percentage of currently married men compared to women desire another child.

Overall, 47% of currently married women and 57% of currently married men who participated in the survey said they want to have another child. 

17% of women and 20% of men said they want to have another child soon, while 30% of women and 37% of men want to wait at least 2 years before having another child. 

“For currently married women, the percentage who desire to have another child is highest among women with no children (88%) and those with one child (88%), and lowest (16%) among those who have six or more children. For currently married men, the percentage who desire to have another child is highest (92%) among those with no children and lowest (33%) among those who have six or more children,” the survey found. 

Among married women, the desire not to have more children increases with the number of children they already have. 

The desire of both men and women to have more children is linked to their education level and their wealth quintile. 

Additionally, the average ideal number of children is higher for men (4.2 children) than for women (3.7 children).