Kenyan Community in Australia: Population, Growth, and Cultural Impact
As of the 2021 Australian Census, there are 22,348 Kenya-born individuals residing in Australia.
This reflects a notable increase from the17,652reported in the 2016 Census.
Geographical Distribution:
Western Australia: 28.4%
Victoria: 23.0%
New South Wales: 18.8%
Queensland: 15.3%
In addition to the resident population, over 4,700 Kenyan students are currently enrolled with Australian educational providers, marking a 27% increase since 2019.
This growth underscores Australia's appeal as a destination for higher education among Kenyan students.
Linguistic and Cultural Diversity: The Kenyan community in Australia is linguistically diverse, with languages spoken at home including:
English: 35.5%
Swahili: 32.9%
Gujarati: 10.1%
Somali: 4.4%
Dinka: 4.3%
Notably, 96.3% of those who speak a language other than English at home report speaking English fluently.
Educational Attainment: The community places a strong emphasis on education, with approximately 72.5% of Kenya-born Australians aged 15 years and over possessing higher non-school qualifications, compared to 55.9% of the Australian population.
In summary, the Kenyan population in Australia is a vibrant and integral part of the nation's multicultural fabric, contributing significantly through cultural diversity, educational excellence, and active community engagement.
