Ghana poverty rate for 2016 was 85.40%, a 0.9% decline from 2012.

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

<li>Ghana poverty rate for 2012 was <strong>86.30%</strong>, a <strong>7.8% decline</strong> from 2005.</li>
<li>Ghana poverty rate for 2005 was <strong>94.10%</strong>, a <strong>2% decline</strong> from 1998.</li>
<li>Ghana poverty rate for 1998 was <strong>96.10%</strong>, a <strong>2.2% decline</strong> from 1991.</li>
</ul>Poverty headcount ratio at $5.50 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $5.50 a day at 2011 international prices. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

The international poverty rate in Ghana as of 2021 was forecast at 11.3 percent, considering the 2011 poverty line set at 1.90 U.S. dollars. The same rate was forecast for 2022, which represented a slight increase compared to 2019, when the poverty rate was measured at 11.1 percent. Overall, no significant change in the population’s percentage living on up to 1.90 U.S. dollars per day was expected in the years following 2019. The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and its impact on economic activities have contributed to the slowly-improving poverty levels registered in the country since that year.

As of 2024, some 6.9 million people in Ghana lived in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 2.15 U.S. dollars per day. This stood as an increase from the previous year when roughly 6.8 million people lived in the said state of poverty. In 2026, around 6.7 million Ghanaians are expected to live on a maximum of 2.15 U.S. dollars daily.

Poverty in the country is segregated

Indeed, poverty figures do not considerably vary when considering men and women apart. In 2024, around 3.5 million men lived in extreme poverty in Ghana, while the count reached roughly 3.3 million for women. On the other hand, in distinguishing the state of extreme poverty among rural and urban dwellers, the difference is striking, even when based on the previously set poverty line of 1.90 U.S. dollars per day. Overall, 1.1 percent of the world's population in extreme poverty lived in Ghana as of 2024.

Ghana's Private Wealth Position in Africa

Ghana is one of the African countries with the highest private wealth concentration, ranking 6th after Kenya as of 2021. That year, the country's total private wealth amounted to 59 billion U.S. dollars, corresponding to around 1,900 U.S. dollars per capita. Between 2011 and 2021, the total wealth held by individuals in Ghana increased, representing a higher growth in comparison to other African countries save five. Overall, the nation ranks 9th in Africa in terms of countries with high net-worth individuals.

In 2023, nine percent of the population in Ghana lived in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 1.90 U.S. dollars a day. The share was equivalent to nearly three million people. By 2025, the extreme poverty rate is projected to decrease to eight percent.

In 2023, around 2.99 million people in Ghana lived in extreme poverty, the majority in rural areas. The count of people living on less than 1.90 U.S. dollars a day in rural regions reached around 2.8 million, while 214,000 extremely poor people were located in urban areas. Overall, within the period examined, the poverty incidence remained above two million in rural communities and between 200 thousand and 350 thousand in urban areas.

GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data was reported at 37.900 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 43.700 % for 2005. GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population data is updated yearly, averaging 40.800 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2012, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 43.700 % in 2005 and a record low of 37.900 % in 2012. GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Rural: % of Rural Population 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: Poverty. Rural poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the rural population living below the national poverty lines.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Ghana: Poverty, percent of population: The latest value from 2016 is 23.4 percent, a decline from 24.2 percent in 2012. In comparison, the world average is 23.41 percent, based on data from 56 countries. Historically, the average for Ghana from 2005 to 2016 is 26.5 percent. The minimum value, 23.4 percent, was reached in 2016 while the maximum of 31.9 percent was recorded in 2005.

In 2023, an estimated 2.99 million people in Ghana lived in extreme poverty, the majority being the male population. The number of men living on less than 1.90 U.S. dollars a day in the country reached around 1.5 million, while the count was at 1.44 million for women. Overall, 0.5 percent of the global population in extreme poverty were found in Ghana as of 2022.

Ghana’s Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI), which complements the monetary poverty by providing an assessment of deprivation of basic survival needs.

Ghana GH: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data was reported at 7.800 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 11.000 % for 2005. Ghana GH: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % data is updated yearly, averaging 9.400 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2012, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.000 % in 2005 and a record low of 7.800 % in 2012. Ghana GH: Poverty Gap at National Poverty Lines: % 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: Poverty. Poverty gap at national poverty lines is the mean shortfall from the poverty lines (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall) as a percentage of the poverty lines. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

After the return to democracy, Ghana achieved significant economic growth and poverty reduction. However, in recent years, the rate of poverty reduction has slowed, becoming insignificant after 2012. The largest reduction in poverty, 2 percent per year, was reached from 1991–1998. Subsequently, the rate of decline fell to 1.4 percent in 1998–2005, 1.1 percent in 2005–2012, and dropped to 0.2 percent per year between 2012 and 2016. The slowdown in poverty reduction was not due to a reduction in GDP per capita growth, which peaked between 2005 and 2012 and remained high between 2012 and 2016. Rather, it was due to a drop in the rate to which economic growth translated into poverty reduction. The growth elasticity of poverty (percentage reduction in poverty associated for every one percentage change in GDP per capita) was 1.2 between 1991 and 1998 but declined to less than 0.1 between 2012 and 2016, indicating a 1 percent increase in GDP per capita led to less than 0.1 percent reduction in poverty.

Ghana GH: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data was reported at 0.247 NA in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.236 NA for 2016. Ghana GH: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 data is updated yearly, averaging 0.241 NA from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2018, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.298 NA in 2011 and a record low of 0.179 NA in 2010. Ghana GH: Multidimensional Poverty Index: scale 0-1 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: Social: Poverty and Inequality. ;Government statistical agencies. Data for EU countires are from the EUROSTAT;;

This report consists of four chapters. Chapter one profiles the trends in household consumption and poverty rates, and in the characteristics of the poor observed between 1991 and 2012. Descriptive statistics of consumption and selected poverty indexes are presented and a profile of the characteristics of the poor is given. The chapter concludes with an analysis of vulnerability. Chapter two uses descriptive and econometric techniques to identify the drivers of Ghana’s success over the last two decades. Chapter three examines the main challenges Ghana continues to face: widening inequalities, a persistent spatial divide, and the deteriorating macroeconomic environment. Chapter four provides a roadmap for policy action to effectively address these challenges and consolidate Ghana’s success as a middle-income economy.

Ghana GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % of Urban Population data was reported at 10.600 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 12.400 % for 2005. Ghana GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % of Urban Population data is updated yearly, averaging 11.500 % from Dec 2005 (Median) to 2012, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 12.400 % in 2005 and a record low of 10.600 % in 2012. Ghana GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at National Poverty Lines: Urban: % of Urban Population 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: Poverty. Urban poverty headcount ratio is the percentage of the urban population living below the national poverty lines.; ; World Bank, Global Poverty Working Group. Data are compiled from official government sources or are computed by World Bank staff using national (i.e. country–specific) poverty lines.; ; This series only includes estimates that to the best of our knowledge are reasonably comparable over time for a country. Due to differences in estimation methodologies and poverty lines, estimates should not be compared across countries.

Ghana Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: UNDP: % of total population data was reported at 24.600 % in 2017. Ghana Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: UNDP: % of total population data is updated yearly, averaging 24.600 % from Dec 2017 (Median) to 2017, with 1 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24.600 % in 2017 and a record low of 24.600 % in 2017. Ghana Multidimensional Poverty Headcount Ratio: UNDP: % of total population 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: Social: Poverty and Inequality. The multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (UNDP) is the percentage of a population living in poverty according to UNDPs multidimensional poverty index. The index includes three dimensions -- health, education, and living standards.;Alkire, S., Kanagaratnam, U., and Suppa, N. (2023). ‘The global Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) 2023 country results and methodological note’, OPHI MPI Methodological Note 55, Oxford Poverty and Human Development Initiative (OPHI), University of Oxford. (https://ophi.org.uk/mpi-methodological-note-55-2/);;

Ghana GH: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data was reported at 31.700 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 32.700 % for 2005. Ghana GH: Income Share Held by Highest 10% data is updated yearly, averaging 29.850 % from Dec 1987 (Median) to 2012, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 32.700 % in 2005 and a record low of 27.300 % in 1987. Ghana GH: Income Share Held by Highest 10% 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: Poverty. Percentage share of income or consumption is the share that accrues to subgroups of population indicated by deciles or quintiles.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

Ghana GH: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data was reported at -0.200 % in 2016. Ghana GH: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate data is updated yearly, averaging -0.200 % from Dec 2016 (Median) to 2016, with 1 observations. Ghana GH: Survey Mean Consumption or Income per Capita: Bottom 40% of Population: Annualized Average Growth Rate 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: Poverty. The growth rate in the welfare aggregate of the bottom 40% is computed as the annualized average growth rate in per capita real consumption or income of the bottom 40% of the population in the income distribution in a country from household surveys over a roughly 5-year period. Mean per capita real consumption or income is measured at 2011 Purchasing Power Parity (PPP) using the PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet). For some countries means are not reported due to grouped and/or confidential data. The annualized growth rate is computed as (Mean in final year/Mean in initial year)^(1/(Final year - Initial year)) - 1. The reference year is the year in which the underlying household survey data was collected. In cases for which the data collection period bridged two calendar years, the first year in which data were collected is reported. The initial year refers to the nearest survey collected 5 years before the most recent survey available, only surveys collected between 3 and 7 years before the most recent survey are considered. The final year refers to the most recent survey available between 2011 and 2015. Growth rates for Iraq are based on survey means of 2005 PPP$. The coverage and quality of the 2011 PPP price data for Iraq and most other North African and Middle Eastern countries were hindered by the exceptional period of instability they faced at the time of the 2011 exercise of the International Comparison Program. See PovcalNet for detailed explanations.; ; World Bank, Global Database of Shared Prosperity (GDSP) circa 2010-2015 (http://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/poverty/brief/global-database-of-shared-prosperity).; ; The comparability of welfare aggregates (consumption or income) for the chosen years T0 and T1 is assessed for every country. If comparability across the two surveys is a major concern for a country, the selection criteria are re-applied to select the next best survey year(s). Annualized growth rates are calculated between the survey years, using a compound growth formula. The survey years defining the period for which growth rates are calculated and the type of welfare aggregate used to calculate the growth rates are noted in the footnotes.

Ghana GH: Poverty Gap at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data was reported at 11.100 % in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 20.100 % for 2005. Ghana GH: Poverty Gap at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % data is updated yearly, averaging 30.400 % from Dec 1987 (Median) to 2012, with 6 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.500 % in 1991 and a record low of 11.100 % in 2012. Ghana GH: Poverty Gap at $3.20 a Day: 2011 PPP: % 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: Poverty. Poverty gap at $3.20 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $3.20 a day (counting the nonpoor as having zero shortfall), expressed as a percentage of the poverty line. This measure reflects the depth of poverty as well as its incidence.; ; World Bank, Development Research Group. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/index.htm).; ; The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than one thousand six hundred household surveys across 164 countries in six regions and 25 other high income countries (industrialized economies). While income distribution data are published for all countries with data available, poverty data are published for low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia) only. The aggregated numbers for low- and middle-income countries correspond to the totals of 6 regions in PovcalNet, which include low- and middle-income countries and countries eligible to receive loans from the World Bank (such as Chile) and recently graduated countries (such as Estonia). See PovcalNet (http://iresearch.worldbank.org/PovcalNet/WhatIsNew.aspx) for definitions of geographical regions and industrialized countries.

44,1 (%) in 1992.

25.3 (%) in 1992.