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 |
3. Ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages |
|---|---|
| Target |
3.c: Substantially increase health financing and the recruitment, development, training and retention of the health workforce in developing countries, especially in least developed countries and small island developing States |
| Indicator |
3.c.1: Health worker density and distribution |
| Metadata update |
2024 |
| Data reporter |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Organisation |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Contact person(s) |
Senior Manager, Social Statistics |
| Contact organisation unit |
Social Statistics |
| Contact person function |
Compiling health statistics |
| Contact phone |
+254735004401 |
| Contact mail |
P.O. Box 30366, Nairobi |
| Contact email | |
| Definition and concepts |
Density of medical doctors: The density of medical doctors is defined as the number of medical doctors, including generalists and specialist medical practitioners per 10,000 population in the country. Density of nursing and midwifery personnel: The density of nursing and midwifery personnel is defined as the number of nursing and midwifery personnel per 10,000 population in the country. Density of dentists: The density of dentists is defined as the number of dentists per 10,000 population in the country. Density of clinical officers: The density of clinical officers is defined as the number of clinical officers per 10,000 population in the country Density of pharmacists: The density of pharmacists is defined as the number of pharmacists per 10,000 population in the country. Density of pharmaceutical technologists: The density of pharmaceutical technologists is defined as the number of pharmaceutical technologists per 10,000 population in the country. |
| Unit of measure |
Health worker densities by occupation: Per 10,000 population |
| Classifications |
International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO-08) |
| Data sources |
Administrative data from the Health Professionals Regulatory Boards and Councils, Ministry of Health |
| Data collection method |
KNBS sends a data template to the Health Professionals Regulatory Boards and Councils. Each regulator then provide data from the administrative records on the number of medical personnel registered and licensed employed. |
| Data collection calendar |
Yearly |
| Data release calendar |
2024 |
| Data providers |
Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council, Nursing Council of Kenya, Clinical Officer’s Council, Pharmacy and Poisons Board |
| Data compilers |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics |
| Institutional mandate |
Kenya National Bureau of Statistics is mandated to collect, compile, analyze, publish and disseminate official statistics for public use, and the co-ordination of the national statistical system, under Statistics Act 2006 |
| Rationale |
Health is an important sector of the population. It is important that the government of Kenya both at national and county level puts in place strategies that can help solve the health-related challenges |
| Comment and limitations |
The Health Professionals Regulatory Boards and Councils maintain data for the registered and licenced health professionals. This data does not have information on those currently practicing Densities are calculated using the latest population projections from the Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) database |
| Method of computation |
Health worker densities by occupation The figures for number of medical doctors (including generalist and specialist medical practitioners) include licenced medical doctors only in a given year. The figures for number of nursing and midwifery include nursing personnel and midwifery personnel in a given year. Nurses trained with midwifery skills are counted and reported as nurses. This makes the distinction between nursing personnel and midwifery personnel difficult to draw. The figures for number of dentists include dentists in the given area. The data only include only licenced dentists in a given year. The figures for number of clinical officers in the given year. The data only include only licenced clinical officers in a given year. The figures for number of pharmacists include in the given. The data include only licenced pharmacists in a given year. The figures for number of pharmaceutical technologists include in the given. The data include only licenced pharmaceutical technologists in a given year. In general, the denominator data for health workforce density are obtained from the latest population projections from the Kenya Population and Housing Census (KPHC) database maintained by KNBS |
| Validation |
A wide consultative process is undertaken to compile, assess and validate data on the indicator. The consultation process solicited feedback directly from other Government Agencies responsible for official statistics, on the compilation of the indicators, including the data sources used, and the application of internationally agreed definitions, classification and methodologies to the data from that source. The results of this Indicator consultation are reviewed by Health Professionals Regulatory Boards and Councils and the Ministry of Health |
| 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 |
Data available at National level only Data not disaggregated |
| Comparability/deviation from international standards |
None |
| References and Documentation |
URl: https://www.knbs.or.ke/download/economic-survey-2023/ References: Annual Economic Survey Report; Analytical Report on Population Projections Volume XVI |
| Metadata last updated | Aug 28, 2025 |