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Kenyans nearly twice as wealthy as Ugandans -World Bank

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Kenyans now earn nearly double what neighbouring Ugandans make each year according to the latest World Bank development indicators. PHOTO | FILE

Kenyans now earn nearly double what neighbouring Ugandans make each year according to the latest World Bank development indicators.

The annual global statistical report by the World Bank shows that Kenyans per capita income now stands at $1,290 against $670 for Ugandans, $920 for Tanzanians and $700 for Rwandans.

Per capita income is the total GDP of a country divided by the population.

It gives an indication of the average earnings per person in a year.  

Kenya’s overall gross national income stood at $58.1 billion in 2014/15, compared to $25.3 billion for Uganda and Tanzania’s $46.4 billion.

The report however also shows increasing income disparity with the poorest 20 per cent receiving only 4.7 per cent of Kenya's national income. 

With increasing numbers of Kenyans living in cities and towns, the report says that 56 per cent of the urban population now lives in slums.

However, 63 per cent of have access to clean water, 30 per cent to proper sanitation facilities and 23 per cent to electricity.

The mortality rate for children under five years is also higher than the average for sub-Saharan Africa at 49 deaths per 1,000 births compared to 45 for Africa as a whole.

Kenya has the second highest number of Internet users, after South Africa, at 43 for every 100 people in sub-Saharan Africa, nearly three times the average for the region.

The World Bank says that globally, the number of people living in extreme poverty (below $1.90) has fallen to 13 per cent of the global population, down from 37 per cent in 1990.