The population of Kenya - Research Paper Example

Kenya Introduction Kenya is located in the eastern part of Africa covering an area of 582,650 square kilometers which is equal to 224,962 square miles. The country has a coastline of approximately 536 kilometers (Blades 17). Its capital city is Nairobi which is strategically located slightly south of the country’s center point. Kenya has diverse ethnic groups that add up to approximately 42 groups. The major ethnic groups include the Kikuyu makes up 12 % of the population; the Luhya is at 14 %, the Luo at 13 %, and the Kalenjin at 12% (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics 14). Others include Kamba, which makes up 11 % of the Kenyan population, the Kisii at 6 %, and the Meru at approximately 6%. The remaining ethnic groups make up approximately 15 % of the Kenyan population and include Europeans, Arabs, and Asians. Even though a plethora of indigenous languages exist in Kenya, the official languages are only two, that is, Kiswahili and English. The former is a common language in East Africa which is a product of Arabic influence on Bantu languages. Kenya has a varied of denominations in which the population adheres. The majority of Kenyans are Christians even though other religions like Hinduism, indigenous religions, and Islam exist. 38 % of the of the Kenya population are Protestants while 28 % are practicing Roman Catholicism. 26% of the Kenyan population follows the East African indigenous religious system while 7 % are Islam (Kenya National Bureau of Statistics 22). Kenya has ecological and climatic extremes with altitude ranging from sea level to highlands over 5000 meters (Blades 27). The countrys mean annual rainfall is less than 250 mm in arid and semi- arid areas to more than 2000 mm in areas with high potential. Its soils also vary from coastal coral types to black, swampy, cotton, alluvial soils that exist along plains and river valleys. Kenyan highlands, in specific, have fertile volcanic soils while semi- arid and arid regions have soils that are infertile and shallow. The diversity of edaphic and climatic conditions has enabled the country to have a wide variety of plant and animal genetic resources thus a livelihood. For instance, 75 % of Kenyans depend on agriculture for income and food and contributes approximately 26 % of the countrys Gross Domestic Product. In addition, the agricultural activities contribute about 60 % of the countrys foreign exchange earnings. However, only a third of the countys total land is agricultural productive and is majorly found in the lake region, coastal plains, and Kenyan highlands. On the other hand, the two-thirds of the land are characterized by arid and semi- arid climate hence low, poorly distributed, and unreliable rainfall. Agriculturally, the area is used for pastoral farming. In Kenya, livestock contributes approximately 26 percent of the total agricultural production. Population Change Kenya has experienced a drastic population change in the past 20 years. In 1995, the crude birth rate of the country was approximated to be 36 births per 1000 people per year and grew to 40 births per year in 2005. The natural increase is the difference between the population’s crude birth rate and the crude death rate. In Kenya, the natural increase in 1995 is approximated to be approximately 20 % while in 2005; the natural increase was estimated to be 29 %. Kenya had a net migration rate of -1 per 1000 people in 1995 while in 2005; the net migration has been at 0. On the other hand, the net number of migrants in Kenya in 1995 was -24000 people and 11000 people in 2005. The country’s total fertility rate in 1995 was 4.8 births per woman and 5.0 births per woman in 2005. The infant mortality rate in Kenya in 1995 and 2005 was at 74 and 57 deaths per 1000 births. The country’s life expectancy also in 1995 and 2005 was 56 years and 55 years respectively (United States Census Bureau). Population Pyramid Graphs Source: United States Census Bureau Source: United States Census Bureau The figures have been reached through the United States Census Bureau estimating and projecting Kenya’s population data. The process entails data collection, evaluation, making assumptions on future changes, parameter estimation, and population projection. The data is collected from census, vital administrative and registration records, surveys, and other variety of credible sources. The main reason for the estimation and projection of the Kenya’s population data is to keep people aware of its dynamics. Currently, that is 2015- 2024, Kenyas crude birth rate is at 26 births per 1000 people per year while the natural increase is estimated to 19 %. The countrys net migration is estimated to be -0. Meanwhile, the net number of migrants in Kenya is estimated to be –10000 people while its total fertility rate is approximately 3.3 births per woman. Her infant mortality rate is approximated to be 39 deaths per 1000 births while its total fertility rate is 3.3 births per woman. Her infant mortality rate is at 39 deaths per 1000 births and its life expectancy at approximately 64 years. Population Pyramid Graphs Source: United States Census Bureau Kenyas population dynamics between 2005 and 2015 has gone through changes. There has been a fall in the number of the crude birth rate from 40 to 26 births per 1000 population due to the availability of family planning methods that has in turn impacted on the age structure. Kenya’s natural increase has fallen from 29 % to 19 % due to improvement in life expectancy as the health services improve in the country (United States Census Bureau). Furthermore, there has been fall in migration as the country develops from developing to middle incomes country with a stable economy. The country has also experienced a fall in fertility rates as women are more inclined to education. In addition, there has been a fall in the infant mortality rates as the health services improve and become more accessible to the locals. There has also been a steady increase in life expectancy due to the improvement of living standards and health services. Future The projection of the Kenya’s population in 2025 shows that crude birth rate will further fall to 19 births per 1000 population as more women engage in education activities. Other reasons can be due to the high cost of raising the children and more capacity building on the importance of having fewer children. As a result, there will be an automatic fall on the natural increase rate to 12% (United States Census Bureau). On the other hand, the net migration rate is expected to maintain at – 0 same as the net number of migrants which is at -10. For instance, the steady development of the countrys economy tends to attract citizens in the surrounding and other countries as locals also opt to stay in their country. The total fertility rate is expected to fall further to 2.2 births per woman as the female gain more interest in pursuing professional careers and economy grows. In addition, the infant mortality rate is expected to fall further to 29 deaths per 1000 births as the maternal health is improved more in the country hence more accessible. It is also projected that Kenya’s life expectancy will increase further to 67 years as the economy and health services improve. Projected Population Graph Pyramid Source: United States Census Bureau Environmental Problems Kenya’s main environmental issues include; first, water pollution due to industrial and urban waste. For example, high pollution rate of Lake Victoria has led the development of water hyacinth and reduced the fish stock hence lowering the livelihood of the neighboring communities (Blades 21). The lakes water has also been degraded due to eutrophication caused by increased use of pesticides and fertilizers upstream. Second, is the deforestation that has impacted negatively on the countrys water catchment areas like the Mau Forest. The cause of deforestation has been the conversion of forest land into agricultural and settlement places due to increase in population. In return, the population downstream has not been able to get an adequate amount of rainfall thus reducing agricultural produce. Lastly is illegal poaching of animals that have led to extinction threats to species like white rhinos hence the fall in tourism revenues. The source of the problem has been the existence of a ready market for the illegal poaching products like the rhino tasks and leopards skin in countries like China. In addition, there have been weak institutional and legal frameworks added to the lack of political will to end the menace. Eutrophication in Lake Victoria Mau Forest Illegal Poaching Conclusion In conclusion, the stable reduction in population growth will reduce environmental problems. As more people become educated, eutrophication problems will be reduced. Furthermore, agricultural activities will be more sustainable as people ensure that water catchment areas are protected. In addition, illegal poaching will be reduced. Work Cited Blades, Heather. Kenya. Oxford: Heinemann, 2000. Print. Kenya National Bureau of Statistics. Kenya 2009 Population and Housing Census Highlights. Nairobi: Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, 2010. Print. United States Census Bureau. International Data Base. United States Census Bureau, July 2015. Web. October 31, 2015. < https://www.census.gov/population/international/data/idb/informationGateway.php > Read More