Kenyans twice as wealthy as Ugandans,says World Bank

Kenyans now earn nearly double what neighbouring Ugandans earn each year, according to the latest World Bank Development Indicators.

The detailed statistical report produced annually by the World Bank puts Kenya's per capita at $1,290 against $670 for Ugandans, $920 for Tanzanians and $700 for Rwandans.

Per capita income is a country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) divided by the population to give an indication of the average earnings per person in a year.

Kenya’s overall Gross National Income stood at $58.1 billion in 2014/15, compared with $25.3 billion in Uganda and $46.4 billion in Tanzania.

However, the report also shows continuing levels of income disparity between the richest and poorest in the country.

According to the report, the poorest 20 per cent only receive 4.7 per cent of national income.

With increasing numbers of Kenyans living in cities and towns, the report says that 56 per cent of the urban population now live in slums, with 63 per cent having access to clean water.

Another 30 per cent access proper sanitation facilities and 23 per cent have electricity connection.

Kenya’s mortality rate for children under five years is also higher than the average for sub-Saharan Africa, at 49 deaths per 1,000 births compared with 45 for the African continent.

Another striking statistic is the number of Internet users in Kenya, which is 43 for every 100 people, the second-highest figure (after South Africa) for sub-Saharan Africa.

The World Bank says that globally, the number of people living in extreme poverty (below $1.90) has fallen to 13 per cent of the global population from 37 per cent in 1990.

The report adds that while undernourishment has been halved globally since 1990, over a quarter of the population in low-income countries still cannot meet their dietary requirements.