Male deaths surpass female deaths as elderly deaths rise

Male deaths surpass female fatalities as elderly mortality surges in 2025/AI ILLUSTRATED

Male deaths exceeded female deaths across most age groups in 2025, with the sharpest rise recorded among Kenyans aged 75 years and above, according to new data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics.

The latest KNBS report shows registered deaths among people aged 75 and above rose dramatically from 49,583 in 2024 to 83,465 in 2025, marking the highest mortality burden across all age categories.

Of these, male deaths in the age bracket rose from 23,273 in 2024 to 42,031 in 2025, while female deaths increased from 26,310 to 41,434 over the same period.

"Kenya recorded 217,601 registered deaths in 2025, up from 206,417 the previous year," KNBS stated.

KNBS said men continued to account for the majority of deaths in most age groups, reflecting persistent gender disparities in mortality patterns.

“In 2025, male deaths exceeded female deaths across most age groups,” KNBS said in its latest mortality report.

The report shows deaths among children aged between five and 14 remained the lowest nationally, declining slightly from 6,366 in 2024 to 5,893 in 2025.

Infant mortality also remained comparatively low, with deaths among children under one year standing at 20,249.

The rise in deaths among the elderly may reflect Kenya’s growing ageing population, increasing chronic illnesses and expanded death registration systems.

The figures also reveal that men consistently recorded higher mortality in economically active age groups, including ages 25 to 54, where occupational risks, lifestyle diseases and delayed health-seeking behaviour often contribute to higher death rates.

For instance, among those aged 35 to 44, male deaths stood at 14,486 compared to 9,171 female deaths.

Similarly, in the 45 to 54 age bracket, male deaths reached 14,895 compared to 9,177 among women.

Across the broader population, total registered deaths rose to 217,601 in 2025, up from 206,417 recorded in 2024. Of these, 121,991 were male while 95,609 were female, further illustrating the gender disparity in mortality.

The report highlights the importance of targeted health policies to address risks facing different demographic groups.

While improvements in healthcare and living conditions have contributed to reduced mortality in younger populations, the surge in deaths among older persons signals emerging challenges.

The data calls for increased focus on elderly care, chronic disease management and preventive health services, particularly for men who continue to record higher mortality rates.

The report further highlights the importance of strengthening healthcare systems for both ageing populations and vulnerable working-age groups.

While lower deaths among younger children may indicate progress in child health interventions, the rising mortality burden among older Kenyans presents a growing policy challenge.

The KNBS data paints a shifting mortality landscape in Kenya, where longevity, chronic disease and population ageing are increasingly shaping national death patterns.