About four in every 10 young Kenyans in employment are borrowing money to meet daily expenses, a new report by Old Mutual has revealed, highlighting the financial pressures facing the country's youth despite growing optimism about their economic future.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

The report released on Wednesday, August 12, revealed that 43 per cent of Kenyans aged between 20 and 29 years are borrowing to meet their day-to-day expenses.

According to the Old Mutual Financial Wellness Monitor 2025 report, the youths, despite earning a monthly income, cannot sustain it for a month, forcing them to borrow to meet expenses.

"Many young people continue to face pressure from debt and the cost of everyday living. More than four in ten (43%) have borrowed to meet everyday expenses," Old Mutual revealed.

📌 What You Need to Know

However, as young Kenyans getting into debt increases, some Kenyans are borrowing to invest, with 26 per cent taking loans to purchase stock or fund business activities.

At the same time, a significant amount of the youth continue to receive financial help from others despite being employed.

The report revealed that 27 per cent of young people continue to receive financial support from family, friends, and local or international networks, besides employment and business.

"Beyond employment and business income, 27% of young people also report receiving financial support from famil y, friends, and local or international networks, highlighting the continued role of social support systems in household financial resilience," the report added.

The findings come as young Kenyans increasingly turn to multiple income streams, entrepreneurship, and saving to strengthen their financial position.

According to the report, 83 per cent of young Kenyans in employment are concerned about their financial future , making them the most optimistic age group surveyed.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke