Men Lead Internet Use Across All Age Groups – KNBS 2023/24 Survey
The latest 2023/24 Kenya Household Survey (KHS) by the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) reveals a clear and consistent digital gender gap across Kenya’s population. Men use the internet more than women in every age group from childhood to old age.
Kenya’s digital landscape presents a compelling mix of opportunity and inequity. While smartphone penetration and mobile connectivity have surged, a notable digital gender divide persists, with men consistently leading women in internet usage across all age groups and regions. The 2023/24 Kenya Household Survey (KHS) by KNBS offers rich insights into these disparities, revealing broader implications for socioeconomic inclusion and digital transformation.
Men in Kenya outpace women in internet use across all age brackets.
The biggest gap appears among young adults aged 25 to 34 years, where:
64% of men use the internet
Compared to 54.5% of womenThis age group also registers the highest overall internet usage in the country at 59.3%.
Age Group Internet Usage Breakdown
| Age Group | % Men Using Internet | % Women Using Internet |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to 4 years | 6.8% | Data not specified |
| 5 to 9 years | 9.8% | Data not specified |
| 10 to 14 years | 11.5% | Data not specified |
| 15 to 24 years | 47.5% | 45.7% |
| 25 to 34 years | 64% | 54.5% |
| 35 to 44 years | 50.4% | 42.2% |
| 45 to 54 years | 40% | Less than men (exact % not specified) |
| 55 to 64 years | 31.2% | Less than men |
| 65 to 74 years | Data not specified | 16.5% |
| 75 to 84 years | Data not specified | 7.9% |
| 85+ years | Data not specified | 4.4% |
Teenagers and young adults (15-24 years) follow behind the 25-34 group with nearly half of both men and women online.
Internet use declines steadily with age.
Among the elderly (65+), only a small fraction are online.
The survey also examined mobile phone ownership for people aged 12 years and above, based on marital status:
Highest ownership: People in monogamous marriages
Overall: 89.1Men: 91.6%
Separated or divorced women also have high ownership rates:
89.5% and 87.8% respectively.
The lowest ownership is among those who have never married:
-
Men: 62.0%
-
Women: 57.8%
Young adult men (25-34 years) are the most connected demographic, showing where digital access peaks.
The consistent gap across all age groups highlights ongoing barriers preventing equal access for women.
Mobile phone ownership, often a prerequisite for internet access, varies by marital status reflecting socioeconomic factors influencing connectivity.
The data suggests targeted policies to boost female internet access could focus on:
Youth and adult women, particularly those who are unmarried.
Older women, where usage drops off sharply.Increasing female digital inclusion supports Kenya’s broader goals for economic growth, education, and social equity.
Kenya’s digital transformation is underway, but the gender gap remains a key challenge. The KNBS 2023/24 survey offers crucial insights for policymakers, businesses, and civil society to design inclusive digital strategies that empower women and close the divide.
Internet use among Kenyans grows every year making it vital to ensure that growth benefits all citizens equally.
What's Your Reaction?
