Kenyan households with higher levels of education receive a disproportionate share of money sent home from abroad, according to the 2025 Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) Household Remittances Report.
Data from the survey shows that recipients with university education accounted for the largest portion of remittance inflows at 30.8 percent, followed closely by those with secondary education at 28.8 percent. In contrast, households with no formal education received only 7.4 percent of total remittances.
“Recipients with university education received the largest amount of remittances, KSh 286.7 billion, which represents 30.8 per cent of total remittance inflows. Those with secondary education received KSh 268.8 billion, accounting for 28.8 per cent. Recipients with no education received KSh 68.6 billion, accounting for 7.4 per cent of total remittance inflows,” states the KNBS survey.
KNBS Survey Shows Higher Education Attracts Most Diaspora Money
According to the KNBS survey, the figures indicate that education plays a role in determining which households benefit most from diaspora financial support.
Combined, university- and secondary-educated recipients absorbed nearly 60 percent of all inflows, pointing to a sharp concentration of resources among more educated groups.
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In value terms, households with university-educated recipients received about KSh 286.7 billion, while those with secondary education received KSh 268.8 billion.
The KNBS survey shows that education affects a household’s ability to access support from abroad, with better-educated families receiving more regular and higher amounts of money.
Individuals with higher levels of education are more likely to secure employment abroad, often in better-paying sectors, enabling them to send larger amounts back home.
At the same time, households with little or no education rely more heavily on in-kind support such as goods and supplies rather than direct cash transfers.
The KNBS report shows that those without formal education accounted for a significant share of in-kind remittances.
“However, this share remains lower than that for recipients with university education, whose in-kind inflows accounted for 35.7 per cent of the total in-kind inflows,” noted the survey.
Money from Abroad by Education Level
| Education Level | Total Money Received (KSh) | Share of Total |
| University | 286.7 billion | 30.8% |
| Secondary | 268.8 billion | 28.8% |
| Primary | 157.5 billion | 16.9% |
| College (Diploma/TVET) | 144.5 billion | 15.5% |
| No education | 68.6 billion | 7.4% |
Remittances Favor Working Households
The KNBS survey also shows that most of the money sent from abroad goes to economically active individuals, particularly those in paid and self-employment, reinforcing the role of diaspora income in supporting livelihoods and boosting household earnings.
Kenyans in paid employment received about KSh 370.7 billion, representing 39.8 percent of total inflows, making them the single largest group of recipients.
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Those engaged in self-employment followed closely, receiving KSh 361.8 billion, which accounts for 38.8 percent of total remittances.
Combined, these two groups absorbed more than three-quarters of all money sent home from abroad, underlining how strongly diaspora transfers are tied to households that already have some form of income-generating activity.
According to the survey, remittances often supplement households’ earnings, helping families cover daily needs, support small businesses, and improve their living standards.
Homemakers received a smaller share of total inflows, at 7.4 percent, but the type of support they receive differs. A larger portion comes in the form of goods rather than cash, showing that many depend on basic items sent from abroad.
A notable portion of what they received came in the form of goods rather than cash, with 15.9 percent of all in-kind remittances directed to this group.
This indicates a greater reliance on basic household items and supplies, showing how diaspora support helps meet essential needs in households that may not have steady income streams.
Students and pupils also benefited from remittances, particularly through in-kind support, which accounted for a relatively higher share of goods than cash transfers.
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