Communications
Broadband - fixed subscriptions [time series]
total: 223,000 (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 1 (2023 est.)
Broadcast media [time series]
state-owned TV station, 2 state-owned radio networks; several privately owned TV stations and a large number of privately owned radio stations; transmissions of multiple international broadcasters are accessible; several cable and satellite TV subscription services are obtainable
Internet country code [time series]
.gh
Internet users [time series]
percent of population: 70% (2023 est.)
Telephones - fixed lines [time series]
total subscriptions: 269,000 (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: (2024 est.) less than 1
Telephones - mobile cellular [time series]
total subscriptions: 39.1 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 114 (2024 est.)
Economy
Agricultural products [time series]
cassava, yams, plantains, maize, oil palm fruit, taro, rice, oranges, pineapples, cocoa beans (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Average household expenditures [time series]
on food: 39.1% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 0.4% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Budget [time series]
revenues: $11.684 billion (2022 est.) expenditures: $19.102 billion (2022 est.) note: central government revenues and expenses (excluding grants/extrabudgetary units/social security funds) converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Current account balance [time series]
$1.407 billion (2023 est.) -$1.741 billion (2022 est.) -$2.541 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
Debt - external [time series]
$29.241 billion (2023 est.) note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
Economic overview [time series]
West African lower-middle income economy; major gold, oil and cocoa exporter; macroeconomic challenges following nearly four decades of sustained growth; recent progress in debt restructuring, fiscal reforms, financial stability, and curbing runaway inflation under 2023-26 IMF credit facility program
Exchange rates [time series]
cedis (GHC) per US dollar - 11.02 (2023 est.) 8.272 (2022 est.) 5.806 (2021 est.) 5.596 (2020 est.) 5.217 (2019 est.)
Exports [time series]
$25.365 billion (2023 est.) $25.52 billion (2022 est.) $23.901 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars
Exports - commodities [time series]
gold, crude petroleum, cocoa beans, manganese ore, cocoa paste (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Exports - partners [time series]
Switzerland 24%, UAE 18%, India 8%, South Africa 7%, China 7% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
GDP (official exchange rate) [time series]
$82.825 billion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
GDP - composition, by end use [time series]
household consumption: 84.1% (2024 est.) government consumption: 4.8% (2024 est.) investment in fixed capital: 9.8% (2024 est.) investment in inventories: 0.2% (2024 est.) exports of goods and services: 35.3% (2024 est.) imports of goods and services: -34.1% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
GDP - composition, by sector of origin [time series]
agriculture: 20.7% (2024 est.) industry: 28.8% (2024 est.) services: 43.9% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income [time series]
43.5 (2016 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
Household income or consumption by percentage share [time series]
lowest 10%: 1.6% (2016 est.) highest 10%: 32.2% (2016 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Imports [time series]
$26.024 billion (2023 est.) $26.329 billion (2022 est.) $25.967 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars
Imports - commodities [time series]
refined petroleum, cars, plastics, plastic products, footwear (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Imports - partners [time series]
China 30%, Netherlands 8%, India 5%, USA 5%, Russia 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Industrial production growth rate [time series]
7.1% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
Industries [time series]
mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building, petroleum
Inflation rate (consumer prices) [time series]
22.8% (2024 est.) 38.1% (2023 est.) 31.3% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices
Labor force [time series]
13.928 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
Population below poverty line [time series]
23.4% (2016 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Public debt [time series]
73.4% of GDP (2016 est.)
Real GDP (purchasing power parity) [time series]
$243.124 billion (2024 est.) $230.046 billion (2023 est.) $223.043 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Real GDP growth rate [time series]
5.7% (2024 est.) 3.1% (2023 est.) 3.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
Real GDP per capita [time series]
$7,100 (2024 est.) $6,800 (2023 est.) $6,700 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars
Remittances [time series]
3% of GDP (2023 est.) 2.8% of GDP (2022 est.) 2.4% of GDP (2021 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold [time series]
$3.624 billion (2023 est.) $5.205 billion (2022 est.) $9.917 billion (2021 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
Taxes and other revenues [time series]
12.3% (of GDP) (2022 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
Unemployment rate [time series]
3.1% (2024 est.) 3.1% (2023 est.) 3.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24) [time series]
total: 5.4% (2024 est.) male: 5.5% (2024 est.) female: 5.3% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
Energy
consumption: 51,000 metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 21 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 52,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
Electricity [time series]
installed generating capacity: 5.519 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 19.534 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 2 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 48.449 million kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 2.796 billion kWh (2023 est.)
Electricity access [time series]
electrification - total population: 85.1% (2022 est.) electrification - urban areas: 95% electrification - rural areas: 71.6%
Electricity generation sources [time series]
fossil fuels: 61.5% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 0.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 37.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 0.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Energy consumption per capita [time series]
10.493 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Natural gas [time series]
production: 3.116 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 3.755 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 639.204 million cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 22.653 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Petroleum [time series]
total petroleum production: 176,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 96,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 660 million barrels (2021 est.)
Environment
Carbon dioxide emissions [time series]
20.822 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 107,000 metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 13.349 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 7.366 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
Climate [time series]
tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Environmental issues [time series]
drought in north; deforestation; overgrazing; soil erosion; poaching and habitat destruction; water pollution; inadequate potable water
International environmental agreements [time series]
party to: Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Marine Life Conservation
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 55.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 20.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 22.8% (2023 est.) forest: 30.7% (2023 est.) other: 13.9% (2023 est.)
Methane emissions [time series]
energy: 164.9 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 166.7 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 134 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 28.1 kt (2019-2021 est.)
Particulate matter emissions [time series]
43.4 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
Total renewable water resources [time series]
56.2 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Total water withdrawal [time series]
municipal: 299.6 million cubic meters (2022 est.) industrial: 95 million cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 1.07 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 59.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Waste and recycling [time series]
municipal solid waste generated annually: 3.538 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 13.3% (2022 est.)
Geography
total : 238,533 sq km land: 227,533 sq km water: 11,000 sq km
Area - comparative [time series]
slightly smaller than Oregon
Climate [time series]
tropical; warm and comparatively dry along southeast coast; hot and humid in southwest; hot and dry in north
Coastline [time series]
539 km
Elevation [time series]
highest point: Mount Afadjato 885 m lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m mean elevation: 190 m
Geographic coordinates [time series]
8 00 N, 2 00 W
Geography - note [time series]
Lake Volta is the world's largest artificial lake (manmade reservoir) by surface area (8,482 sq km; 3,275 sq mi); the lake was created after the Akosombo Dam was completed in 1965
Irrigated land [time series]
360 sq km (2013)
Land boundaries [time series]
total: 2,420 km border countries (3): Burkina Faso 602 km; Cote d'Ivoire 720 km; Togo 1098 km
Land use [time series]
agricultural land: 55.4% (2023 est.) arable land: 20.7% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 11.9% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 22.8% (2023 est.) forest: 30.7% (2023 est.) other: 13.9% (2023 est.)
Location [time series]
Western Africa, bordering the Gulf of Guinea, between Cote d'Ivoire and Togo
Major rivers (by length in km) [time series]
Volta river mouth (shared with Burkina Faso [s]) - 1,600 km note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km) [time series]
Atlantic Ocean drainage: Volta (410,991 sq km)
Map references [time series]
Africa
Maritime claims [time series]
territorial sea: 12 nm contiguous zone: 24 nm exclusive economic zone: 200 nm continental shelf: 200 nm
Natural hazards [time series]
dry, dusty, northeastern harmattan winds from January to March; droughts
Natural resources [time series]
gold, timber, industrial diamonds, bauxite, manganese, fish, rubber, hydropower, petroleum, silver, salt, limestone
Population distribution [time series]
population is concentrated in the southern half of the country, with the highest concentrations on or near the Atlantic coast, as shown in this population distribution map
Terrain [time series]
mostly low plains with dissected plateau in south-central area
Government
Administrative divisions [time series]
16 regions; Ahafo, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, Central, Eastern, Greater Accra, North East, Northern, Oti, Savannah, Upper East, Upper West, Volta, Western, Western North
Capital [time series]
name: Accra geographic coordinates: 5 33 N, 0 13 W time difference: UTC 0 (5 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) etymology: the name derives from the Akan word nkran , meaning "ant," and may refer to the nickname local forest dwellers gave to the Nigerian tribes who settled in the area in the 16th century
Citizenship [time series]
citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent or grandparent must be a citizen of Ghana dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Constitution [time series]
history: several previous; latest drafted 31 March 1992, approved and promulgated 28 April 1992, entered into force 7 January 1993 amendment process: proposed by Parliament; consideration requires prior referral to the Council of State, a body of prominent citizens who advise the president of the republic; passage of amendments to "entrenched" constitutional articles (including those on national sovereignty, fundamental rights and freedoms, the structure and authorities of the branches of government, and amendment procedures) requires approval in a referendum by at least 40% participation of eligible voters and at least 75% of votes cast, followed by at least two-thirds majority vote in Parliament, and assent of the president; amendments to non-entrenched articles do not require referenda
Country name [time series]
conventional long form: Republic of Ghana conventional short form: Ghana former: Gold Coast etymology: named for a tribal chieftain who ruled a large part of the region prior to the 13th century, even though his territory was northwest of modern-day Ghana; the former name, Gold Coast, came from the gold that Portuguese explorers discovered in the region in the late 15th century
Diplomatic representation from the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador (vacant); Charg d Affaires Rolf OLSON (since 29 May 2025) embassy: No. 24, Fourth Circular Road, Cantonments, Accra, P.O. Box 2288, Accra mailing address: 2020 Accra Place, Washington DC 20521-2020 telephone: [233] (0) 30-274-1000 email address and website: ACSAccra@state.gov https://gh.usembassy.gov/
Diplomatic representation in the US [time series]
chief of mission: Ambassador Victor Emmanuel SMITH (since 19 September 2025) chancery: 3512 International Drive NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 686-4520 FAX: [1] (202) 686-4527 email address and website: info.washington@mfa.gov.gh https://washington.mfa.gov.gh/ consulate(s) general: New York
Executive branch [time series]
chief of state: President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2025) head of government: President John Dramani MAHAMA (since 7 January 2025) cabinet: Council of Ministers; nominated by the president, approved by Parliament election/appointment process: president and vice president directly elected on the same ballot by absolute-majority popular vote in 2 rounds, if needed, for a 4-year term (eligible for a second term); the president is both chief of state and head of government most recent election date: 7 December 2024 election results: 2024: John Dramani MAHAMA elected president in the first round; percent of vote- John Dramani MAHAMA (NDC) 56.5%, Mahamudu BAWUMIA (NPC) 41%, other 2.5% 2020: Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO reelected president in the first round; percent of vote - Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO (NPP) 51.3%, John Dramani MAHAMA (NDC) 47.4%, other 1.3% (2020) expected date of next election: 7 December 2028
description: three equal horizontal bands of red (top), yellow, and green, with a large five-pointed black star centered in the yellow band meaning: red stands for the blood shed for independence, yellow for the country's mineral wealth, and green for its forests and natural wealth; the black star is said to be the lodestar of African freedom history: uses the colors of the Pan-African movement note: similar to the flag of Bolivia, which has a coat of arms centered in the yellow band
Government type [time series]
presidential republic
Independence [time series]
6 March 1957 (from the UK)
International law organization participation [time series]
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; accepts ICCt jurisdiction
International organization participation [time series]
ACP, AfDB, ATMIS, AU, C, ECOWAS, EITI (compliant country), FAO, G-24, G-77, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, MINURSO, MONUSCO, NAM, OAS (observer), OIF, OPCW, UN, UNAMID, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNHRC, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNISFA, UNMIL, UNMISS, UNOCI, UNOOSA, UNSOM, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO
Judicial branch [time series]
highest court(s): Supreme Court (consists of the chief justice and 13 justices) judge selection and term of office: chief justice appointed by the president in consultation with the Council of State (a small advisory body of prominent citizens) and with the approval of Parliament; other justices appointed by the president on the advice of the Judicial Council (an 18-member independent body of judicial, military and police officials, and presidential nominees) and on the advice of the Council of State; justices can retire at age 60, with compulsory retirement at age 70 subordinate courts: Court of Appeal; High Court; Circuit Court; District Court; regional tribunals
Legal system [time series]
mixed system of English common law and customary law
Legislative branch [time series]
legislature name: Parliament legislative structure: unicameral number of seats: 276 (all directly elected) electoral system: plurality/majority scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 4 years most recent election date: 12/7/2024 parties elected and seats per party: National Democratic Congress (NDC) (183); New Patriotic Party (NPP) (88); Other (4) percentage of women in chamber: 14.5% expected date of next election: December 2028
National anthem(s) [time series]
title: "God Bless Our Homeland Ghana" lyrics/music: unknown/Philip GBEHO history: music adopted 1957, lyrics adopted 1966; the lyrics were changed twice, in 1960 when a republic was declared and after a 1966 coup
National color(s) [time series]
red, yellow, green, black
National heritage [time series]
total World Heritage Sites: 2 (both cultural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Forts and Castles, Volta, Greater Accra, Central and Western Regions; Asante Traditional Buildings
National holiday [time series]
Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
National symbol(s) [time series]
black star, golden eagle
Political parties [time series]
All Peoples Congress or APC Convention People's Party or CPP Ghana Freedom Party or GFP Ghana Union Movement or GUM Great Consolidated Popular Party or GCPP Liberal Party of Ghana or LPG National Democratic Congress or NDC National Democratic Party or NDP New Patriotic Party or NPP People's National Convention or PNC Progressive People's Party or PPP United Front Party or UFP United Progressive Party or UPP
Suffrage [time series]
18 years of age; universal
Introduction
Background [time series]
Ghana is a multiethnic country rich in natural resources and is one of the most stable and democratic countries in West Africa. Ghana has been inhabited for at least several thousand years, but little is known about its early inhabitants. By the 12th century, the gold trade started to boom in Bono (Bonoman) state in what is today southern Ghana, and it became the genesis of the Akan people's power and wealth in the region. Beginning in the 15th century, the Portuguese, followed by other European powers, arrived and competed for trading rights. Numerous kingdoms and empires emerged in the area, among the most powerful were the Kingdom of Dagbon in the north and the Asante (Ashanti) Empire in the south. By the mid-18th century, Asante was a highly organized state with immense wealth; it provided enslaved people for the Atlantic slave trade, and in return received firearms that facilitated its territorial expansion. The Asante resisted increasing British influence in the coastal areas, engaging in a series of wars during the 19th century before ultimately falling under British control. Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first Sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence, with Kwame NKRUMAH as its first leader. Ghana endured a series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR of the opposition New Patriotic Party (NPP) succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS of the National Democratic Congress won the 2008 presidential election and took over as head of state. MILLS died in 2012 and was constitutionally succeeded by his vice president, John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won the 2012 presidential election. In 2016, Nana Addo Dankwa AKUFO-ADDO of the NPP defeated MAHAMA, marking the third time that Ghana s presidency had changed parties since the return to democracy. AKUFO-ADDO was reelected in 2020. In recent years, Ghana has taken an active role in promoting regional stability and is highly integrated in international affairs.
Military and Security
Military - note [time series]
the military s primary missions are border defense, assisting with internal security, peacekeeping, and protecting the country s territorial waters, particularly its offshore oil and gas infrastructure; it has benefited from cooperation with foreign partners, such as the UK and the US, and experience gained from participation in multiple international peacekeeping missions in recent years, Ghana has expanded the Army and reinforced its presence in the northern part of the country to shore up porous borders, interdict smuggling routes, and counter threats from the terrorist organization Jama at Nasr al-Islam wal Muslimin (JNIM), a coalition of al-Qa'ida linked militant groups which has a considerable presence in Burkina Faso and has conducted attacks in Cote d'Ivoire and Togo; Ghana has also made efforts to increase the Navy's capabilities to protect its maritime claims and counter threats such as piracy and illegal fishing (2025)
Military and security forces [time series]
Ghana Armed Forces (GAF): Army, Air Force, Ghana Navy Ministry of Interior: Ghana Police Service (2025) note: the GAF also has a Medical Service/Corps
Military and security service personnel strengths [time series]
estimated 15-20,000 active Armed Forces (2025) note: over the past decade, Ghana has sought to increase the size of the GAF, particularly the Army, which has added a number of new units
Military deployments [time series]
875 Lebanon (UNIFIL); 725 (plus about 275 police) South Sudan (UNMISS); 670 Sudan (UNISFA) (2025) note: since sending a contingent of troops to the Congo in 1960, the military has been a regular contributor to African- and UN-sponsored peacekeeping missions
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions [time series]
the military's inventory is a mix of older (mostly Soviet-era) and some newer armaments from such suppliers as China, Japan, Jordan, T rkiye, the UK, and the US; the government has committed to an increase in funding for equipment acquisitions, including armor, mechanized, and special forces capabilities for the Army, light attack aircraft for the Air Force, and more modern coastal patrol vessels for the Navy (2025)
Military expenditures [time series]
0.4% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2022 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2021 est.) 0.4% of GDP (2020 est.)
Military service age and obligation [time series]
18-27 years of age for voluntary military service; no conscription (2025) note: as of 2024, women comprised approximately 15% of the military; Ghanaian women first began serving in the late 1950s
People and Society
Age structure [time series]
0-14 years: 37.4% (male 6,527,386/female 6,400,245) 15-64 years: 58.2% (male 9,690,498/female 10,444,197) 65 years and over: 4.4% (2024 est.) (male 684,189/female 842,577)
Alcohol consumption per capita [time series]
total: 1.59 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 0.53 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 0.05 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.39 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0.61 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
Birth rate [time series]
27.09 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Child marriage [time series]
women married by age 15: 3.3% (2022) women married by age 18: 16.1% (2022) men married by age 18: 2.4% (2022)
Children under the age of 5 years underweight [time series]
12% (2022 est.)
Currently married women (ages 15-49) [time series]
53.4% (2022 est.)
Death rate [time series]
5.73 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Dependency ratios [time series]
total dependency ratio: 70.8 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 63.2 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 7.6 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 13.1 (2025 est.)
Drinking water source [time series]
urban: 98.4% of population (2022 est.) rural: 74.1% of population (2022 est.) total: 88.4% of population (2022 est.) urban: 1.6% of population (2022 est.) rural: 25.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 11.6% of population (2022 est.)
Education expenditure [time series]
2.9% of GDP (2022 est.) 13.2% national budget (2022 est.)
Ethnic groups [time series]
Akan 45.7%, Mole-Dagbani 18.5%, Ewe 12.8%, Ga-Dangme 7.1%, Gurma 6.4%, Guan 3.2%, Grusi 2.7%, Mande 2%, other 1.6% (2021 est.)
Gross reproduction rate [time series]
1.73 (2025 est.)
Health expenditure [time series]
4.2% of GDP (2021) 7.4% of national budget (2022 est.)
Hospital bed density [time series]
0.7 beds/1,000 population (2015 est.)
Infant mortality rate [time series]
total: 30.5 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 34.5 deaths/1,000 live births female: 27.8 deaths/1,000 live births
Languages [time series]
Asante 16%, Ewe 14%, Fante 11.6%, Boron (Brong) 4.9%, Dagomba 4.4%, Dangme 4.2%, Dagarte (Dagaba) 3.9%, Kokomba 3.5%, Akyem 3.2%, Ga 3.1%, other 31.2% (2010 est.) note: English is the official language
Life expectancy at birth [time series]
total population: 70.1 years (2024 est.) male: 68.4 years female: 71.8 years
Literacy [time series]
total population: 76.5% (2021 est.) male: 81.3% (2021 est.) female: 72.1% (2021 est.)
Major urban areas - population [time series]
3.768 million Kumasi, 2.660 million ACCRA (capital), 1.078 million Sekondi Takoradi (2023)
Maternal mortality ratio [time series]
234 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)
Median age [time series]
total: 21.6 years (2025 est.) male: 20.6 years female: 22.3 years
Mother's mean age at first birth [time series]
22.1 years (2022 est.) note: data represents median age at first birth among women 25-49
Nationality [time series]
noun: Ghanaian(s) adjective: Ghanaian
Net migration rate [time series]
-0.15 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Obesity - adult prevalence rate [time series]
10.9% (2016)
Physician density [time series]
0.27 physicians/1,000 population (2023)
Population [time series]
total: 35,336,133 (2025 est.) male: 17,278,776 female: 18,057,357
Population distribution [time series]
population is concentrated in the southern half of the country, with the highest concentrations on or near the Atlantic coast, as shown in this population distribution map
Population growth rate [time series]
2.12% (2025 est.)
Religions [time series]
Christian 71.3% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 31.6%, Protestant 17.4%, Catholic 10%, other 12.3%), Muslim 19.9%, traditionalist 3.2%, other 4.5%, none 1.1% (2021 est.)
Sanitation facility access [time series]
urban: 85.7% of population (2022 est.) rural: 55.3% of population (2022 est.) total: 73.1% of population (2022 est.) urban: 14.3% of population (2022 est.) rural: 44.7% of population (2022 est.) total: 26.9% of population (2022 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education) [time series]
total: 12 years (2022 est.) male: 12 years (2022 est.) female: 12 years (2022 est.)
Sex ratio [time series]
at birth: 1.03 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.02 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.93 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.81 male(s)/female total population: 0.96 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Tobacco use [time series]
total: 2.8% (2025 est.) male: 5.4% (2025 est.) female: 0.3% (2025 est.)
Total fertility rate [time series]
3.51 children born/woman (2025 est.)
Urbanization [time series]
urban population: 59.2% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 3.06% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Space
Key space-program milestones [time series]
2017 - first satellite (GhanaSat-1), a technology demonstration/remote sensing nanosatellite built by a Gabonese university with assistance from Japan and released from the International Space Station; established Ghana Radio Astronomy Observatory 2024 - released a national space policy
Space agency/agencies [time series]
Ghana Space Science and Technology Institute (GSSTI; established 2011) (2025) note: the GSSTI is eventually slated to become the Ghana Space Agency
Space program overview [time series]
has nascent space program focused on Earth observation, space science education, and telecommunications; seeks to exploit remote sensing (RS) technology for agriculture, natural-resource management, weather forecasting, and national security; relies on foreign imagery for analysis but seeks to develop its own RS satellite capabilities; has established cooperative relationships with China, Japan, and a number of regional states, particularly South Africa; working with Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Sudan, and Uganda on a satellite to monitor climate changes in the African continent; member of the African Space Agency; partner in the Square Kilometer Array radio telescope (2025)
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons [time series]
refugees: 17,334 (2024 est.) IDPs: 4,937 (2024 est.)
Transportation
Airports [time series]
11 (2025)
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix [time series]
9G
Heliports [time series]
7 (2025)
Merchant marine [time series]
total: 52 (2023) by type: general cargo 8, oil tanker 3, other 41
total ports: 4 (2024) large: 0 medium: 1 small: 1 very small: 2 ports with oil terminals: 3 key ports: Saltpond, Sekondi, Takoradi, Tema
Railways [time series]
total: 947 km (2022) narrow gauge: 947 km (2022) 1.067-m gauge