- Kenyan universities produced a record 123,928 graduates in 2024, the highest number in the country’s history.
- Education and Business programmes accounted for the largest share of degree holders entering the labour market.
- Experts warn that the growing graduate population is likely to intensify competition for limited formal employment opportunities.
Kenya’s universities released a record 123,928 graduates into the labour market in 2024, highlighting the growing output of the country’s higher education sector and raising fresh questions about the economy’s capacity to absorb the increasing number of degree holders.
According to data from the Commission for University Education (CUE), Education remained the most popular field of study, producing 34,156 graduates, representing more than a quarter of all degree holders who completed their studies during the year.
Business, Administration and Management Studies followed with 28,005 graduates, underscoring the continued preference among students for programmes perceived to offer broad career opportunities.
Natural Sciences, Mathematics and Statistics produced 11,019 graduates, while Arts and Humanities accounted for 9,068 graduates.
Health and Welfare programmes contributed 8,886 graduates, reflecting sustained demand for healthcare professionals across the country.
Computing and Information Communication Technology programmes produced 8,627 graduates as the digital economy continues to expand and create demand for technology-related skills.
Engineering, Manufacturing and Production programmes accounted for 7,023 graduates, while Social and Behavioural Sciences produced 6,759 graduates.
Communication, Journalism and Information Studies contributed 3,816 graduates, Agriculture, Forestry, Fisheries and Veterinary Sciences produced 2,937 graduates, and Law programmes accounted for 1,796 graduates.
A further 650 graduates completed programmes classified under Services, while 1,186 graduated from other disciplines.
Graduate numbers continue rising
The 2024 figures marked a sharp increase from the 99,829 graduates recorded in 2023, representing growth of more than 24 per cent within a single year.
Public chartered universities continued to dominate higher education output, producing more than 91,000 graduates, equivalent to nearly three-quarters of all degree holders.
Education experts say the trend reflects expanding access to university education and growing enrolment across both public and private institutions.
However, they caution that the rising number of graduates is likely to intensify competition for formal employment opportunities, particularly in sectors that have traditionally absorbed large numbers of degree holders, including education, business and public administration.
Pressure to create more jobs
The situation is expected to become even more pronounced in 2026. Preliminary estimates suggest that the number of graduates entering the labour market has increased by more than 40 per cent compared with 2024 levels, raising concerns over graduate unemployment and underemployment.
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As universities continue expanding enrolment, policymakers face mounting pressure to create more jobs, strengthen entrepreneurship and innovation programmes, and align academic training with emerging economic sectors capable of absorbing the growing pool of skilled graduates.
By Kithinji Njeru
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