Kenya, located in East Africa, is known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and vibrant cultural heritage. The country’s strategic position and diverse economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism, play significant roles regionally and globally.
But what do global rankings and indices have to say about Kenya’s economic competitiveness, its sustainability, soft power, country brand strength, and reputation?
Let’s take a closer look at:
- Kenya’s soft power and country brand strength
- Its appeal to skilled labour, investors, and visitors
- The country’s global contribution to peace and well-being
- How well it fares in terms of happiness and sustainability
Kenya’s Soft Power and Brand Strength
In the Global Soft Power Index 2023 by Brand Finance, the country ranks 95th, a decline of five positions with a score change of -0.4.
The U.S. News Best Countries 2023 ranks Kenya 59th overall. Key performance areas include Agility (75th), Entrepreneurship (79th), Quality of Life (70th), Movers (25th), Social Purpose (54th), Cultural Influence (61st), Open for Business (57th), Power (73rd), Adventure (56th), and Heritage (57th).
The Anholt-Ipsos Nation Brand Index (NBI) calculates its ranking based on exports, governance, tourism, culture, people, and immigration. According to the NBI 2023, Kenya is ranked 56th, reflecting a slight decline of one position.
The UNCTAD World Investment Report 2023 shows Kenya’s FDI Inflows for 2023 at 1,504 million USD, a decrease of 93 million USD. Meanwhile, FDI Outflows were 588 million USD, a decrease of 914 million USD, indicating a mixed investment landscape.
Appeal to Talent, Business, Trade, and Travel
The Bloom Consulting Country Brand Ranking Trade Edition 2024-2025 places Kenya 75th globally and 9th regionally, reflecting its competitive trade environment. In the Country Brand Ranking Tourism Edition 2024-2025, Kenya ranks 88th worldwide and 7th in its region, highlighting its potential as a tourist destination.
According to the Global Talent Competitiveness Index 2023, Kenya ranks 98th, showing a slight improvement of one position. The country is categorized as a lower-middle-income country, reflecting its efforts and challenges in attracting and retaining talent.
How “Good” is Kenya?
The CAF World Giving Index 2023 ranks Kenya 3rd, with 76% of the population helping a stranger, 53% donating money, and 51% volunteering.
In the Good Country Index, Kenya ranks 72nd overall. The individual rankings are as follows: World Order (45th), Planet and Climate (53rd), Science and Technology (97th), Health and Wellbeing (92nd), Culture (92nd), Prosperity and Equality (108th), and International Peace and Security (103rd).
According to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) Democracy Index 2023, Kenya ranks 92nd, reflecting an improvement of two positions, indicating ongoing efforts towards democratic governance.
The 2023 Corruption Perception Index ranks Kenya 127th, showing a slight decline of one position, highlighting persistent challenges in combating corruption.
Peace and Happiness
The Global Peace Index 2024 ranks Kenya 122nd, showing a decline of three positions. Regionally, it is ranked 27th.
The Global Terrorism Index 2024 places Kenya 18th, reflecting a slight increase of one position, indicating ongoing concerns about terrorism.
The World Happiness Report 2024 ranks Kenya 114th, a decline of three positions. The report shows that The Young (109th) are the most satisfied with their life, followed by Lower Middle (119th), The Old (119th), and Upper Middle (123rd).
Sustainability Performance
The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2024 ranks Kenya 145th. Regionally, it is ranked 29th.
The Sustainable Development Report 2024 ranks Kenya 123rd, showing no change. This ranking highlights ongoing challenges in meeting various sustainable development goals.
Last updated in July 2024. Explore more country profiles here.
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Disclaimer: The information in this article is intended to provide a general overview of Kenya’s economic and cultural landscape and facilitate comparison over time. While we strive for accuracy and completeness, we are not responsible for any typographical errors or inaccuracies. The data is provided “as is” without warranty of any kind. Users should verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.
