Kenya Ranks 10th in Africa With KSh44,553 Average Monthly Net Salary

Kenyan workers have been ranked among Africa’s higher earners, with the country recording an estimated average monthly net salary of KSh44,553.

Figures published by LiveGDP, an economic data platform tracking international economic indicators, placed Kenya 10th among 54 African countries.

The reported Kenyan figure translates to about $344 per month, putting the country at position 132 globally in the platform’s ranking.

The comparison is based on estimated take-home earnings after income taxes and other mandatory deductions.

Djibouti leads African ranking

Djibouti recorded the highest estimated average net salary in Africa at KSh367,311, equivalent to about $2,836 per month.

South Africa followed with an estimated KSh164,486 or $1,270, while Seychelles was placed third at KSh102,318, equivalent to $790.

Botswana, Namibia, Mauritius, Morocco, Equatorial Guinea and Cameroon completed the remaining positions in Africa’s top 10.

Kenya was placed just below Cameroon, which recorded an estimated monthly net salary of KSh44,683, or $345.

Ghana followed Kenya closely with a reported average of KSh44,035, equivalent to approximately $340.

Kenya ahead of several East African neighbours

Kenya recorded a higher estimated net salary than several other countries in the East African region.

Tanzania was ranked 20th in Africa at KSh25,255 per month, while Uganda occupied position 26 with KSh20,722.

Rwanda was ranked 31st with an estimated monthly net salary of KSh18,780.

The Democratic Republic of Congo was placed 33rd at KSh18,392, while Somalia ranked 42nd with KSh15,540.

Most African countries below KSh26,000

The figures also showed a significant difference in estimated take-home pay across the continent.

According to the ranking, 35 of Africa’s 54 countries recorded average monthly net salaries below KSh25,903, equivalent to $200.

South Sudan recorded the lowest figure at approximately KSh9,066, followed by Burundi at KSh9,713 and Sierra Leone at KSh10,361.

Gambia was reported at KSh11,008, while Malawi and Sudan each recorded about KSh11,656.

Salary ranking does not measure living standards

LiveGDP cautioned that nominal salary figures should not be treated as a direct measure of living standards or purchasing power.

Differences in housing, food, transport, healthcare, education, inflation and exchange rates can significantly affect what workers can afford from their earnings.

Salary levels can also be influenced by differences in productivity, economic development, industries, skills, labour demand, taxation and employment conditions.

The ranking therefore provides a comparison of estimated take-home salaries rather than showing how far those salaries can stretch in each country.