How East Africa’s population age structure is changing

The age bands share one denominator

Each percentage divides an age group by the total population. The chart holds the country set and scale constant as readers switch groups. The figures come from World Development Indicators, which draws on the United Nations population estimates and projections. Source 1 Source 3 Source 2 Source 4

The share under 15 fell at different speeds

In Kenya it fell from 46.08% in 2000 to 36.26% in 2025. Uganda went from 50.06% to 43.11%. Somalia changed less over the same dates, from 47.36% to 46.55%. The child share can fall while the number of children rises if the total population grows. Source 1

The older share varies by a few percentage points

Rwanda had the highest share aged 65 and older in the 2025 comparison, at 4.02%. Uganda’s share was 2.23%. The small percentages reflect population shares. The number of older people depends on the size of the country’s population. Source 2

The age ratio is demographic

The table divides the sum of the younger and older groups by the population aged 15 to 64. That produces roughly 97 people outside the middle band per 100 within it in Somalia, compared with about 65 in Kenya. The age categories include employed and non-employed people. Source 5 Source 1 Source 2 Source 3

Sources

• UN population ages 0 to 14 via World Development Indicators
• UN population ages 65 and older via World Development Indicators
• UN population ages 15 to 64 via World Development Indicators
• UN Population Division, World Population Prospects 2024
• UN Population Division, total dependency ratio metadata