A new report by the Department of Civil Registration has revealed a decline in birth registration completeness and a shift in the sex ratio at birth in Kenya.
According to the Kenya Vital Statistics Report 2023, birth registration completeness declined from 75% in 2019 to 68% in 2023, a 12% drop over the past four years. This decline will likely concern policymakers, as it may lead to inaccurate data on population growth and demographic trends.
The report also shows that the sex ratio at birth has shifted, with 105 boys being born for every 100 girls in 2019, compared to 96 boys for every 100 girls in 2023, a decline of 8% over the past four years.
“The decline in birth registration completeness is a major concern, as it undermines the accuracy of our vital statistics and makes it difficult to track population growth and demographic trends,” said Dr Jane Mwangi, Director of Civil Registration, in the report.
“We need to take immediate action to improve the civil registration system and ensure that all births are registered, not just for the sake of data accuracy, but also to ensure that every child has a birth certificate, which is a fundamental human right,” added Dr Mwangi.
Why drop in birth registration completeness?
The decline in birth registration completeness is attributed to a variety of factors, including inadequate infrastructure, lack of awareness among parents, and insufficient resources for registration officials.
The report’s findings have sparked calls for action from civil society groups and policymakers, who are urging the government to address the challenges facing the civil registration system.
“We need to take immediate action to improve the civil registration system and ensure that all births are registered,” said a spokesperson for the civil society group, Kenya Human Rights Commission. “This is not just a matter of numbers, but also a matter of human rights and dignity.”
The government has since pledged to address the issues raised in the report and improve the civil registration system. However, it remains to be seen how effective these efforts will be in improving the country’s vital statistics.