Sub-categories

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Headline data

Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health and social protection)
Year Value GeoCode UNIT_MEASURE SERIES
2014 15.6 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2015 15.3 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2016 14.3 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2017 16.0 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2018 14.5 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2019 15.5 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2020 17.9 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2021 16.3 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2022 15.9 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2023 18.4 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2024 18.7 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, education [UIS methodology] [1.a.2]
2014 2.5 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2015 1.7 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2016 2.5 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2017 2.4 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2018 3.2 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2019 3.5 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2020 4.0 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2021 3.3 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2022 2.9 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2023 2.8 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2024 3.0 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, health [1.a.2]
2014 2.9 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2015 3.7 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2016 3.7 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2017 3.8 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2018 4.5 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2019 4.9 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2020 5.6 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2021 5.8 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2022 5.8 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2023 5.5 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]
2024 5.6 Percent Proportion of total government spending on essential services, social protection [1.a.2]

Geographical Area:

Unit of Measurement:

Footnote:

This table provides metadata for the actual indicator available from Kenya statistics closest to the corresponding global SDG indicator. Please note that even when the global SDG indicator is fully available from Kenyan statistics, this table should be consulted for information on national methodology and other Kenyan-specific metadata information.

Goal

Goal 1: End poverty in all its forms everywhere
Target

Target 1.a Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
Indicator

Indicator 1.a.2 Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health and social protection)
Metadata update

2023
Related indicators

None
Organisation

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Contact person(s)

Director of Macroeconomic Statistics
Contact organisation unit

Directorate of Macroeconomic Statistics
Contact person function

Production and dissemination of Macroeconomic Statistics
Contact phone

254-202-911-000
Contact mail

30266-00100, Nairobi- Kenya
Contact email

dmes@knbs.or.ke
Definition and concepts

Definition

The COFOG (Classification Of the Functions Of Government) is an international classification which breaks down data on general government expenditure from the System of National Accounts according to the different purposes or functions in which the funds are used.

This classification divides general government expenditure into ten categories according to their purpose: general public services; defense; public order and safety; economic affairs; environmental protection; housing and community amenities; health; recreation, culture and worship; education; social protection.

Education

  • Pre-primary and primary education
  • Secondary education
  • Post-secondary non-tertiary education
  • Tertiary education
  • Education not definable by level
  • Subsidiary services to education
  • R&D education
  • Education n.e.c.

Social protection

  • Sickness and disability
  • Old age
  • Survivors
  • Family and children
  • Unemployment
  • Housing
  • Social exclusion n.e.c.
  • R&D social protection

Health

  • Medical products, appliances and equipment
  • Outpatient services
  • Hospital services
  • Public health services
  • R&D health
Unit of measure

Per cent
Classifications

COFOG (Classification Of the Functions Of Government)
Data sources

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Data collection method

Compilation of Estimates Budget Books.
Data collection calendar

2009 -2023
Data release calendar

2024
Data providers

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Data compilers

Kenya National Bureau of Statistics
Institutional mandate

According to the Statistics Act of 2006, Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is mandated to collect, compile, analyze, publish and disseminate official statistics for public use.
Rationale

Not Applicable
Comment and limitations

Limitations

In some instances, data on total public expenditure on education refer only to the Ministry of Education, excluding other ministries may also spend a part of their budget on educational activities. Although the IMF aims to publish data on total general government expenditure following common definitions based on the Government Finance Statistics Manual, in practice this concept (and what it includes) may differ between countries.
Method of computation

Total government expenditure for all levels of education combined expressed as a percentage of total general government expenditure (all sectors).

Validation

Not Applicable
Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level

Not Applicable
Quality management

The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is ISO certified based on 9001:2015 Standard requirements. The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control, are carried out following the methodological framework and standards established by the KNBS, in compliance with the Internationally acceptable standards
Quality assurance

The KNBS adheres to Kenya Statistical Quality Assurance Framework (KesQAF) that underlines principles to be assured in managing the statistical production processes and output.

Data consistency and quality checks are conducted through Technical Working Groups (TWGs) before publication and dissemination.
Quality assessment

The processes of compilation, production, publication and dissemination of data, including quality control are subjected to a set criteria and standards to ensure conformity
Data availability and disaggregation

Available on KNBS website
Comparability/deviation from international standards

None
References and Documentation

https://doi.org/10.1787/3d5c5d31-en
Metadata last updated Aug 28, 2025

This table provides information on metadata for SDG indicators as defined by the UN Statistical Commission. Complete global metadata is provided by the UN Statistics Division.

Indicator

Indicator 1.a.2: Proportion of total government spending on essential services (education, health and social protection)
Target

Target 1.a: Ensure significant mobilization of resources from a variety of sources, including through enhanced development cooperation, in order to provide adequate and predictable means for developing countries, in particular least developed countries, to implement programmes and policies to end poverty in all its dimensions
Metadata update

2024-06-28
International organisations(s) responsible for global monitoring

UNESCO Institute for Statistics (UNESCO-UIS)
Related indicators

4.5.3, 4.5.4, 4.5.5, 4.5.6, 4.b.1
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