A recent health survey in Kenya has revealed that women in the country now prefer to have only two children. The Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) 2025-2026 shows that the number of children a woman has varies greatly depending on where she lives, her level of education, and her economic status. The survey indicates that women in Embu county have an average of 2.2 children, compared to 6.8 children for women in Mandera county.
The KDHS report shows that the national average of children per woman has decreased to 3.1, down from 3.4 in 2022 and 6.7 in 1988-89. The report also indicates that the use of modern contraceptives and unmet needs for family planning have increased. Despite this, many women said they would prefer to have only two children. The survey also found that women in northern Kenya have more children and use modern contraceptives less.
The survey revealed that Mandera has the highest number of children per woman at 6.8, followed by Wajir (5.8), Tana River (5.7), Turkana (5.6), Garissa (5.3), West Pokot (5.1), and Samburu (5.0). On the other hand, Embu has the lowest number of children per woman at 2.2, followed by Kiambu and Mombasa with 2.3 each. Kericho and Nairobi have 2.6 children per woman.
Education also plays a significant role in the number of children a woman has. The survey found that women who have not attended school have an average of 5.4 children, compared to 3.6 for those with primary education, 3.0 for those with secondary education, and 2.7 for those with post-secondary education.
The survey also found that women from poorer families have more children than those from richer families. Women from the poorest families have an average of 4.5 children, while those from the richest families have 2.3 children. The report also shows that women are now having children at an older age, with the majority of women giving birth between 25 and 29 years old.
The survey also revealed that teenage pregnancies have decreased, with the percentage of girls aged 15-19 who have been pregnant decreasing from 14.8 in 2022 to 11.9. The government aims to increase the use of modern contraceptives to 64% by 2030 and reduce unmet needs to 10%.
The government will need to improve access to family planning services and education on reproductive health to reduce the number of children being born. In some counties, including Nyamira, Nandi, and Bomet, women are having 1.1 more children than they would like. The survey shows that there is still a long way to go in achieving the government's goals.
Key points
- The number of children per woman in Kenya has decreased to 3.1.
- Women in northern Kenya have more children and use modern contraceptives less.
- Education and economic status play a significant role in the number of children a woman has.
