Marriage rates decline among Kenyan women as divorce rises to 9.3%, the KNBS report shows

The number of married women in Kenya is steadily decreasing while divorce and separation rates continue to climb, according to the Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2024 released by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS).
The report paints a concerning demographic picture, highlighting a shift in traditional family structures that could affect population growth and long-term social planning in the country.
In 1989, approximately 63.1% of Kenyan women aged 15 to 49 were married. By 2022, that number had dropped to 48.1%, reflecting a sharp and consistent decline over three decades. The statistics show fluctuations over the years—58.3% in 1993, 58.8% in 1998, then declining again to 54.5% in 2003. By 2008/09, the rate stood at 54.2%, rose slightly to 54.6% in 2014, before diving to 48.1% in 2022.
Meanwhile, divorce and separation among women in the same age group more than doubled during the same period. In 1989, only 4.6% of women were divorced or separated. That number rose to 5.3% in 1993, dipped slightly to 4.9% in 1998, and then increased steadily to 5.9% in 2003, 6.1% in 2008/09, 7.7% in 2014, and finally 9.3% in 2022.
A Gavel. Image used to illustrate this story.PHOTO/Pexels
 
Family formulation and legalities
Despite this decline in formal unions, marriage remains central to population growth in Kenya. According to the report, most children born annually are born to married women, reinforcing the institution’s continuing influence.
“Most of the children born each year are born to married women, thus underscoring the role of marriage in population increase. However, some marriages end up in separation and/or divorce,” the report states.
In addition to marriage trends, the 2022 Kenya Demographic and Health Survey (KDHS) sheds light on marriage registration in Kenya, revealing low compliance. Only 19.3% of married women aged 15 to 49 had registered their marriage with civil authorities.
Even fewer, just 15.6%, had an official marriage certificate. The legal process requires that once a marriage is solemnised, a certificate is issued and submitted to the Registrar of Marriages within 14 days. The details are then entered into a registry and recorded digitally with a scanned copy of the document.
As for divorce proceedings, the Kenya Vital Registration System (KVRS) explains that individuals must file a case at the Resident Magistrate’s Court. If the court concludes the marriage has irretrievably broken down, it issues a Decree Nisi, followed by a Decree Absolute. A certified copy is then filed with the Registrar of Marriages, who updates the official divorce register.
The data in the 2024 KNBS report, combined with KDHS findings, highlight evolving societal patterns that are likely to influence national policies on family, reproductive health, and social services. As marriage rates in Kenya decline and divorce statistics continue to rise, the nation may need to re-evaluate support systems for families and consider ways to strengthen legal marriage registration and family planning initiatives.