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 10: Reduce inequality within and among countries |
|---|---|
| Target |
Target 10.7: Facilitate orderly, safe, regular and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through the implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies |
| Indicator |
Indicator 10.7.4: Proportion of the population who are refugees, by country of origin |
| Metadata update |
2024 |
| Related indicators |
Goals 1 (“No Poverty”), 2 (“Zero Hunger”), 3 (“Good Health and Wellbeing”), 4 (“Quality Education”), 5 (“Gender Equality”), 8 (“Decent Work and Economic Growth”), and 16 (“Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions”). |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Contact person(s) |
Senior Manager, Population Statistics |
| Contact organisation unit |
Population Statistics |
| Contact person function |
Production and dissemination of Population Statistics |
| Contact phone |
254-202-911-000 |
| Contact mail |
30266-00100, Nairobi- Kenya |
| Contact email |
dpss@knbs.or.ke |
| Definition and concepts |
Definition: The indicator is defined as the total count of population who have been recognized as refugees as a proportion of the total population of their country of origin, expressed per 100,000 population. Refugees refers to persons recognized by the Government and/or UNHCR, those in a refugee-like situation and other persons in need of international protection. Population refers to total resident population in a given country in a given year. Concepts: Refugees recognized by the Government and/or UNHCR include: (a) persons recognized as refugees by Governments having ratified the 1951 United Nations Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, and/or its 1967 Protocol; (b) persons recognized as refugees under the 1969 Organization of African Unity (OAU) Convention Governing the Specific Aspects of Refugee Problems in Africa; (c) those recognized in accordance with the principles enshrined in the Cartagena Declaration; (d) persons recognized by UNHCR as refugees in accordance with its Statute (otherwise referred to as “mandate” refugees); (e) those who have been granted a complementary form of protection (i.e. non-Convention); (f) persons who have been granted temporary protection on a group basis; Persons in a refugee-like situation refer to those outside their territory of origin who face protection risks similar to those of refugees, but who, for practical or other reasons, have not been formally recognized or issued documentation to that effect. Other persons in need of international protection are defined as people who are outside their country or territory of origin, typically because they have been forcibly displaced across international borders, who have not been reported under other categories (asylum-seekers, refugees, people in refugee-like situations) but who likely need international protection, including protection against forced return, as well as access to basic services on a temporary or longer-term basis. |
| Unit of measure |
Number of refugees per 100,000 population in country of origin |
| Classifications |
Not applicable |
| Data sources |
2019 KPHC, UNHCR, 2024 ES |
| Data collection method |
Administrative data, Surveys and Censuses |
| Data collection calendar |
2020-2023 |
| Data release calendar |
2024 |
| Data providers |
Households |
| 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. The collection and use of refugee data are mandated by the 1951 Refugee Convention and by the Statute of the Office of the High Commissioner for Refugees. The confidentiality of refugee data and related information is highly respected by UNHCR and our partners and the processing and protection of personal data are anchored in UNHCR’s Data Protection Policy. |
| Rationale |
Forced displacement as a result of conflict, violence, and other causes undermine sustainable development, and can increase the risk of regional instability, especially when refugees are hosted in neighbouring countries, resulting in possible tensions with local populations. The United Nations General Assembly Resolution (A/Res/70/1) that adopted the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development at paragraph 23 recognizes the relevance of the Agenda to meet the needs of refugees, internally displaced persons and migrants on the basis that they are among the most vulnerable. It also explicitly states that Member States resolve to take further effective measures and actions, to “strengthen support and meet the special needs of people living in areas affected by complex humanitarian emergencies”. In addition, target 10.7 recognizes for the first time the contribution of migration to sustainable development by aiming to “facilitate orderly, safe, and responsible migration and mobility of people, including through implementation of planned and well-managed migration policies”. This indicator tracks the number of people displaced across national borders as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations, or events seriously disturbing public order. It measures the total count of refugee population by country or territory of origin as a proportion of the total population. |
| Comment and limitations |
The estimates of the refugee population by country of origin are collected on a bi-annual basis by UNHCR during its annual and mid-year statistical reviews. Data is therefore already available and does not impose an additional burden on national statistical systems |
| Method of computation |
The indicator is presented as the number of refugees per 100,000 population in country of origin. |
| Validation |
At the international level, data on refugee populations are routinely collected by UNHCR through the biannual Population Statistic Review (PSR) data collection. Focal points in each UNHCR operation submit data to the Statistics and Demographics Section in the Global Data Service that performs consistency checks. In most cases, these focal points obtain data either from the UNHCR registration database (in countries where UNHCR performs registration directly), or from national institutions responsible for data production in the area of asylum and refugee matters (National Statistical Offices, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Justice, Administrative Tribunals). When a country does not report refugee figures to UNHCR, estimations based on positive decisions on asylum applications from previous years are used. Once consolidated, data are shared to countries to check their accuracy. Data for SDG monitoring will also be sent to countries for consultation before publication. |
| Methods and guidance available to countries for the compilation of the data at the national level |
UNHCR Annual Statistical Report methodological guidance note The Expert Group on Refugee and IDP Statistics, in which UNHCR belongs to the steering committee, has released the International Recommendations on Refugee Statistics (IRRS), which were adopted by the United Nations Statistical Commission during its 2018 session and is a strong reference for refugee statistics reporting methodologies. UNHCR supports NSOs to build capacity to report on forced displacement in countries that currently lack disaggregated data on refugees. Expert Group on Refugee and IDP Statistics (EGRIS): https://egrisstats.org/ International Recommendations on Refugee Statistics (IRRS): https://egrisstats.org/recommendations/international-recommendations-on-refugee-statistics-irrs/ |
| 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 |
Data is available on the KNBS website |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
None |
| References and Documentation |
References: https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/2019-kphc-analytical-report-on-migration-vol-viii/ https://www.knbs.or.ke/publications UNHCR Refugee Population Statistics Database (https://www.unhcr.org/refugee-statistics/ ) UNHCR, Global Trends report (https://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends.html) UNHCR, Mid-Year Trends report (https://www.unhcr.org/mid-year-trends.html) UNHCR Statistical Yearbook (https://www.unhcr.org/statistical-yearbooks.html) UN Population Division, World Population Prospects (https://population.un.org/wpp/) |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |