This statistic shows the total population of Ghana from 2013 to 2023 by gender. In 2023, Ghana's female population amounted to approximately 16.91 million, while the male population amounted to approximately 16.88 million inhabitants.

Total current population for Ghana in 2025 is 35,439,785, a 1.9% increase from 2024.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Total population for Ghana in 2024 was <strong>34,777,522</strong>, a <strong>2.93% increase</strong> from 2023.</li>
<li>Total population for Ghana in 2023 was <strong>33,787,914</strong>, a <strong>1.93% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Total population for Ghana in 2022 was <strong>33,149,152</strong>, a <strong>1.94% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
</ul>Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.

Population density per pixel at 100 metre resolution. WorldPop provides estimates of numbers of people residing in each 100x100m grid cell for every low and middle income country. Through ingegrating cencus, survey, satellite and GIS datasets in a flexible machine-learning framework, high resolution maps of population counts and densities for 2000-2020 are produced, along with accompanying metadata. DATASET: Alpha version 2010 and 2015 estimates of numbers of people per grid square, with national totals adjusted to match UN population division estimates (http://esa.un.org/wpp/) and remaining unadjusted. REGION: Africa SPATIAL RESOLUTION: 0.000833333 decimal degrees (approx 100m at the equator) PROJECTION: Geographic, WGS84 UNITS: Estimated persons per grid square MAPPING APPROACH: Land cover based, as described in: Linard, C., Gilbert, M., Snow, R.W., Noor, A.M. and Tatem, A.J., 2012, Population distribution, settlement patterns and accessibility across Africa in 2010, PLoS ONE, 7(2): e31743. FORMAT: Geotiff (zipped using 7-zip (open access tool): www.7-zip.org) FILENAMES: Example - AGO10adjv4.tif = Angola (AGO) population count map for 2010 (10) adjusted to match UN national estimates (adj), version 4 (v4). Population maps are updated to new versions when improved census or other input data become available. Ghana data available from WorldPop here.

The total population in Ghana was estimated at 33.8 million people in 2023, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Ghana Population - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

The total population of Ghana was estimated at approximately 34.43 million people in 2024. Following a continuous upward trend, the total population has risen by around 22.49 million people since 1980. Between 2024 and 2030, the total population will rise by around 3.79 million people, continuing its consistent upward trajectory.This indicator describes the total population in the country at hand. This total population of the country consists of all persons falling within the scope of the census.

Ghana GH: Population: Growth data was reported at 2.198 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 2.237 % for 2016. Ghana GH: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 2.596 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3.482 % in 1983 and a record low of 1.603 % in 1978. Ghana GH: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

Ghana GH: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 16,750,447.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 16,341,478.000 Person for 2016. Ghana GH: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 7,451,383.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 16,750,447.000 Person in 2017 and a record low of 3,544,333.000 Person in 1960. Ghana GH: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Total population between the ages 15 to 64. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;

Abstract

The 2010 Census was undertaken to update current information on the size, sex, age, composition and other characteristics of Ghana's population and to ascertain the specific changes in these characteristics which had taken place since the last census was conducted in 2000. The Census was expected to ensure the continuation of a time series of demographic and socio-economic benchmark data at the national and sub-national levels and enhance the capability-building programme of the Statistical Service. The main objective of the 2010 Population and Housing Census was to update the statistical information on the characteristics of the population of Ghana.

Analysis unit

Households and individuals

Universe

The 2010 census covered a de-facto population count of Ghana on Census Night (26th September 2010). These were all usual residents, infants sick as well as the mentally challenged, inmates of institutions. out-door sleepers and all persons who spend census night within the boarders of Ghana, semi-stable floating population enumeration was done immediately after midnight of Census Night. Enumeration was done on Census Night of fishermen, other persons at sea and other persons in Field Camps. All types of housing structures were listed a week before the census night. All enumeration of institutional population was done a week before the Census Night

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

PHC-1A: Household questionnaire - admistered to household population. This questionnaire includes modules on Household roster, Usual household members absent, Emigration, Population, Mortality, ICT, Agriculture and Housing

PHC-1A Usual Members Absent Continuation Sheet

PHC-1A Emigration Continuation Sheet

PHC-1B: Group quarter questionnaire - administered to homeless households and group quarter population. This excludes usual members absent, emigration, mortality, ICT at household level, agricultural and housing modules.

PHC-1C: Group quarter questionnaire which was administered to individual members and later transferred to PHC-1B questionnaire

PHC-3: EA Result Sheet - Captured summary information on population by sex and the number of localities in each Enumeration Area (EA).

PHC-4: Final Summary Sheet - Captured summary information on the number of residential structures, number of households, population by sex and household and non-household population and the availability of telecommunication, education, health and toilet facilities in the locality.

Rural population (% of total population) in Ghana was reported at 40.76 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

This statistic shows the age structure in Ghana from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, about 36.18 percent of Ghana's total population were aged 0 to 14 years.

Abstract

The population and housing census (PHC) is the unique source of reliable and comprehensive data about the size of population and also on major socio-economic & socio-demographic characteristics of the country. It provides data on geographic and administrative distribution of population and household in addition to the demographic and socio-economic characteristics of all the people in the country. Generally, it provides for comparing and projecting demographic data, social and economic characteristics, as well as household and housing conditions at all levels of the country’s administrative units and dimensions: national, regional, districts and localities. The data from the census is classified, tabulated and disseminated so that researchers, administrators, policy makers and development partners can use the information in formulating and implementing various multi-sectorial development programs at the national and community levels. Data on all key variables namely area, household, population, economic activity, literacy and education, fertility and child survival, housing conditions and sanitation are collected and available in the census data. The 2021 PHC in Ghana had an overarching goal of generating updated demographic, social and economic data, housing characteristics and dwelling conditions to support national development planning activities.

Geographic coverage

National Coverage , Region , District

Analysis unit

• Individuals
• Households
• Emigrants
• Absentee population
• Mortality
• Type of residence (households and non household)

Universe

All persons who spent census night (midnight of 27th June 2021) in Ghana

Kind of data

Census/enumeration data [cen]

Sampling procedure

This 10% sample data for the 2021 PHC is representative at the district/subdistrict level and also by the urban rural classification.

Mode of data collection

Computer Assisted Personal Interview [capi]

Research instrument

GSS developed two categories of instruments for the 2021 PHC: the listing form and the enumeration instruments. The listing form was only one, while the enumeration instruments comprised six questionnaires, designated as PHC 1A, PHC 1B, PHC 1C, PHC 1D, PHC 1E and PHC 1F. The PHC 1A was the most comprehensive with the others being its subsets.

1. Listing Form: The listing form was developed to collect data on type of structures, level of completion, whether occupied or vacant and use(s) of the structures. It was also used to collect information about the availability, number and types of toilet facilities in the structures. It was also used to capture the number of households in a structure, number of persons in households and the sex of the persons residing in the households if occupied. Finally, the listing form was used to capture data on non-household populations such as the population in institutions, floating population and sex of the non-household populations.

2. PHC 1A: The PHC 1A questionnaire was used to collect data from all households in the country. Primarily, it was used to capture household members and visitors who spent the Census Night in the dwelling of the household, and their relationship with the head of the household. It was also used to collect data on homeless households. Members of the households who were absent were enumerated at the place where they had spent the Census Night. The questionnaire was also used to collect the following household information: emigration; socio-demographic characteristics (sex, age, place of birth and enumeration, survival status of parents, literacy and education; economic activities; difficulty in performing activities; ownership and usage of information, technology and communication facilities; fertility; mortality; housing characteristics and conditions and sanitation.

3. PHC 1B: The PHC 1B questionnaire was used to collect data from persons in stable institutions comprising boarding houses, hostels and prisons who were present on Census Night. Other information that was captured with this instrument are socio-demographic characteristics, literacy and education, economic activities, difficulty in performing activities; ownership and usage of information, technology and communication facilities; fertility; mortality; housing characteristics and conditions and sanitation.

4. PHC 1C: The PHC 1C questionnaire was used to collect data from persons in “unstable” institutions such as hospitals and prayer camps who were present at these places on Census Night. The instrument was used to capture only the socio-demographic characteristics of individuals.

5. PHC 1D: The PHC 1D questionnaire was used to collect data from the floating population. This constitutes persons who were found at airports, seaports, lorry stations and similar locations waiting for or embarking on long-distance travel, as well as outdoor sleepers on Census Night. The instrument captured the socio-demographic information of individuals.

6. PHC 1E: All persons who spent the Census Night at hotels, motels and guest houses were enumerated using the PHC 1E. The content of the questionnaire was similar to that of the PHC 1D.

7. PHC 1F: The PHC 1F questionnaire was administered to diplomats in the country.

Cleaning operations

The Census data editing was implemented at three levels: 1. data editing by enumerators and supervisors during data collection 2. data editing was done at the regional level by the regional data quality monitors during data collection 3. Final data editing was done at the national level using the batch edits in CSPro and STATA Data editing and cleaning was mainly digital.

Response rate

100 percent

Data appraisal

A post Enumeration Survey (PES) was conducted to assess the extent of coverage and content error.

Ghana: Population density, people per square km: The latest value from 2021 is 144 people per square km, an increase from 141 people per square km in 2020. In comparison, the world average is 456 people per square km, based on data from 196 countries. Historically, the average for Ghana from 1961 to 2021 is 76 people per square km. The minimum value, 31 people per square km, was reached in 1961 while the maximum of 144 people per square km was recorded in 2021.

Population ages 0-14 (% of total population) in Ghana was reported at 36.18 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Population ages 0-14 (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population ages 15-64, total in Ghana was reported at 20336698 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Population ages 15-64, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Population ages 20-24, male (% of male population) in Ghana was reported at 9.0714 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Population ages 20-24, male (% of male population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population, female in Ghana was reported at 16910369 Persons in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Population, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) in Ghana was reported at 8.9334 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Population ages 20-24, female (% of female population) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on June of 2025.

IPUMS-International is an effort to inventory, preserve, harmonize, and disseminate census microdata from around the world. The project has collected the world's largest archive of publicly available census samples. The data are coded and documented consistently across countries and over time to facillitate comparative research. IPUMS-International makes these data available to qualified researchers free of charge through a web dissemination system. The IPUMS (Integrated Public Use Microdata Series) project is a collaboration of the Minnesota Population Center, National Statistical Offices, and international data archives. Major funding is provided by the U.S. National Science Foundation and the Demographic and Behavioral Sciences Branch of the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development. Additional support is provided by the University of Minnesota Office of the Vice President for Research, the Minnesota Population Center, and Sun Microsystems.

As of 2021, Western North was the region in Ghana with the highest male population share, reaching 51.3 percent. On the other hand, female inhabitants were most populous in the Volta region, as they occupied a share of 52.3 percent of the region's total inhabitants. Overall, majority of the regions in Ghana had a lower male population in comparison to female ones.

Abstract

The 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (2022 GDHS) is the seventh in the series of DHS surveys conducted by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service (MoH/GHS) and other stakeholders, with funding from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and other partners.

The primary objective of the 2022 GDHS is to provide up-to-date estimates of basic demographic and health indicators. Specifically, the GDHS collected information on: - Fertility levels and preferences, contraceptive use, antenatal and delivery care, maternal and child health, childhood mortality, childhood immunisation, breastfeeding and young child feeding practices, women’s dietary diversity, violence against women, gender, nutritional status of adults and children, awareness regarding HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections, tobacco use, and other indicators relevant for the Sustainable Development Goals - Haemoglobin levels of women and children - Prevalence of malaria parasitaemia (rapid diagnostic testing and thick slides for malaria parasitaemia in the field and microscopy in the lab) among children age 6–59 months - Use of treated mosquito nets - Use of antimalarial drugs for treatment of fever among children under age 5

The information collected through the 2022 GDHS is intended to assist policymakers and programme managers in designing and evaluating programmes and strategies for improving the health of the country’s population.

Geographic coverage

National coverage

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Children age 0-5
• Woman age 15-49
• Man age 15-59

Universe

The survey covered all de jure household members (usual residents), all women aged 15-49, men aged 15-59, and all children aged 0-4 resident in the household.

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

To achieve the objectives of the 2022 GDHS, a stratified representative sample of 18,450 households was selected in 618 clusters, which resulted in 15,014 interviewed women age 15–49 and 7,044 interviewed men age 15–59 (in one of every two households selected).

The sampling frame used for the 2022 GDHS is the updated frame prepared by the GSS based on the 2021 Population and Housing Census.1 The sampling procedure used in the 2022 GDHS was stratified two-stage cluster sampling, designed to yield representative results at the national level, for urban and rural areas, and for each of the country’s 16 regions for most DHS indicators. In the first stage, 618 target clusters were selected from the sampling frame using a probability proportional to size strategy for urban and rural areas in each region. Then the number of targeted clusters were selected with equal probability systematic random sampling of the clusters selected in the first phase for urban and rural areas. In the second stage, after selection of the clusters, a household listing and map updating operation was carried out in all of the selected clusters to develop a list of households for each cluster. This list served as a sampling frame for selection of the household sample. The GSS organized a 5-day training course on listing procedures for listers and mappers with support from ICF. The listers and mappers were organized into 25 teams consisting of one lister and one mapper per team. The teams spent 2 months completing the listing operation. In addition to listing the households, the listers collected the geographical coordinates of each household using GPS dongles provided by ICF and in accordance with the instructions in the DHS listing manual. The household listing was carried out using tablet computers, with software provided by The DHS Program. A fixed number of 30 households in each cluster were randomly selected from the list for interviews.

For further details on sample design, see APPENDIX A of the final report.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face computer-assisted interviews [capi]

Research instrument

Four questionnaires were used in the 2022 GDHS: the Household Questionnaire, the Woman’s Questionnaire, the Man’s Questionnaire, and the Biomarker Questionnaire. The questionnaires, based on The DHS Program’s model questionnaires, were adapted to reflect the population and health issues relevant to Ghana. In addition, a self-administered Fieldworker Questionnaire collected information about the survey’s fieldworkers.

The GSS organized a questionnaire design workshop with support from ICF and obtained input from government and development partners expected to use the resulting data. The DHS Program optional modules on domestic violence, malaria, and social and behavior change communication were incorporated into the Woman’s Questionnaire. ICF provided technical assistance in adapting the modules to the questionnaires.

Cleaning operations

DHS staff installed all central office programmes, data structure checks, secondary editing, and field check tables from 17–20 October 2022. Central office training was implemented using the practice data to test the central office system and field check tables. Seven GSS staff members (four male and three female) were trained on the functionality of the central office menu, including accepting clusters from the field, data editing procedures, and producing reports to monitor fieldwork.

From 27 February to 17 March, DHS staff visited the Ghana Statistical Service office in Accra to work with the GSS central office staff on finishing the secondary editing and to clean and finalize all data received from the 618 clusters.

Response rate

A total of 18,540 households were selected for the GDHS sample, of which 18,065 were found to be occupied. Of the occupied households, 17,933 were successfully interviewed, yielding a response rate of 99%. In the interviewed households, 15,317 women age 15–49 were identified as eligible for individual interviews. Interviews were completed with 15,014 women, yielding a response rate of 98%. In the subsample of households selected for the male survey, 7,263 men age 15–59 were identified as eligible for individual interviews and 7,044 were successfully interviewed.

Sampling error estimates

The estimates from a sample survey are affected by two types of errors: (1) nonsampling errors and (2) sampling errors. Nonsampling errors are the results of mistakes made in implementing data collection and data processing, such as failure to locate and interview the correct household, misunderstanding of the questions on the part of either the interviewer or the respondent, and data entry errors. Although numerous efforts were made during the implementation of the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (2022 GDHS) to minimize this type of error, nonsampling errors are impossible to avoid and difficult to evaluate statistically.

Sampling errors, on the other hand, can be evaluated statistically. The sample of respondents selected in the 2022 GDHS is only one of many samples that could have been selected from the same population, using the same design and identical size. Each of these samples would yield results that differ somewhat from the results of the actual sample selected. Sampling errors are a measure of the variability between all possible samples. Although the degree of variability is not known exactly, it can be estimated from the survey results. A sampling error is usually measured in terms of the standard error for a particular statistic (mean, percentage, etc.), which is the square root of the variance. The standard error can be used to calculate confidence intervals within which the true value for the population can reasonably be assumed to fall. For example, for any given statistic calculated from a sample survey, the value of that statistic will fall within a range of plus or minus two times the standard error of that statistic in 95% of all possible samples of identical size and design.

If the sample of respondents had been selected as a simple random sample, it would have been possible to use straightforward formulas for calculating sampling errors. However, the 2022 GDHS sample was the result of a multistage stratified design, and, consequently, it was necessary to use more complex formulas. The computer software used to calculate sampling errors for the GDHS 2022 is an SAS program. This program used the Taylor linearization method to estimate variances for survey estimates that are means, proportions, or ratios. The Jackknife repeated replication method is used for variance estimation of more complex statistics such as fertility and mortality rates.

A more detailed description of estimates of sampling errors are presented in APPENDIX B of the survey report.

Data appraisal

Data Quality Tables

• Age distribution of eligible and interviewed women
• Age distribution of eligible and interviewed men
• Age displacement at age 14/15
• Age displacement at age 49/50
• Pregnancy outcomes by years preceding the survey
• Completeness of reporting
• Standardisation exercise results from anthropometry training
• Height and weight data completeness and quality for children
• Height measurements from random subsample of measured children
• Interference in height and weight measurements of children
• Interference in height and weight measurements of women and men
• Heaping in anthropometric measurements for children (digit preference)
• Observation of mosquito nets
• Observation of handwashing facility
• School attendance by single year of age
• Vaccination cards photographed
• Number of