Kenya’s housing market is delivering the highest investment returns in the world, outpacing nine major global property markets, according to a new report by HassConsult.

The study compared property prices and rental yields in Kenya, South Africa, the USA, Canada, the UK, France, Switzerland, Singapore, and Australia. It found Kenya widening its lead in 2025, driven by strong domestic demand.

Since 2000, residential property prices in Kenya have surged 425%, compared to 201% in the USA, 151% in France, and 122% in Singapore.

In the year to June 2025 alone, Kenya recorded a 7.8% rise in home prices, the fastest growth among the markets studied. Australia ranked second at 4.74%.

HassConsult Co-CEO Sakina Hassanali attributed Kenya’s resilience to the fact that most homes are fully paid for.

“A critical factor in the strength of Kenya’s housing market has been its source of finance,” said Hassanali. “Homes in Kenya are fully paid, which makes the market super-resilient. Owners rarely end up grappling with mortgage repayments they can’t meet, preventing the waves of forced sales suffered in other economies.”

The report also highlighted Kenya’s expanding middle and high-income earners in sectors such as education, health, agriculture, and trade as a key driver of housing demand.

Rental yields in Kenya average 5.5%, which is above the global average, resulting in overall returns of 13.28% for the year to June 2025. Off-plan projects delivered even higher gains, averaging 18.06%, with flexible payments and discounts giving buyers an edge.

“With off-plan now the main point of entry for many Kenyans into property, the discounts and instalment payments are creating gains that are, in reality, over twice the norm in other global markets,” said HassConsult Development Sales Advisor, Ian Mutinda.