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.

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.

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

In 2024, an estimated 6.9 million people in Ghana lived in extreme poverty, the majority being the male population. The number of men in the country living on less than 2.15 U.S. dollars a day reached around 3.5 million, while the count was at 3.3 million for women. Overall, 1.1 percent of the global population in extreme poverty was found in Ghana as of 2024.

Poverty rate at national poverty line of Ghana slipped by 3.31% from 24.2 % in 2012 to 23.4 % in 2016. Since the 24.14% drop in 2012, poverty rate at national poverty line declined by 3.31% in 2016. National poverty rate is the percentage of the population living below the national poverty line. National estimates are based on population-weighted subgroup estimates from household surveys.

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;;

Historical dataset showing Ghana poverty rate by year from 1987 to 2016.

Poverty rate at $3.2 a day of Ghana dropped by 5.85% from 59.80 % in 2012 to 56.30 % in 2016. Since the 0.78% upward trend in 1991, poverty rate at $3.2 a day plummeted by 37.65% in 2016. Population below $3.1 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $3.1 a day at 2005 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.

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.

The data is on political, economic and social inequalities in Ghana and how its prevalence can impedes the development of prosperous and harmonious society.

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 $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % of Population data was reported at 25.200 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 25.700 % for 2012. Ghana GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % of Population data is updated yearly, averaging 55.000 % from Dec 1987 (Median) to 2016, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 64.200 % in 1991 and a record low of 25.200 % in 2016. Ghana GH: Poverty Headcount Ratio at $2.15 a Day: 2017 PPP: % of 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. Poverty headcount ratio at $2.15 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $2.15 a day at 2017 purchasing power adjusted 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.;World Bank, Poverty and Inequality Platform. Data are based on primary household survey data obtained from government statistical agencies and World Bank country departments. Data for high-income economies are mostly from the Luxembourg Income Study database. For more information and methodology, please see http://pip.worldbank.org.;;The World Bank’s internationally comparable poverty monitoring database now draws on income or detailed consumption data from more than 2000 household surveys across 169 countries. See the Poverty and Inequality Platform (PIP) for details (www.pip.worldbank.org).

As of 2025, ** percent of the population in Ghana was estimaed to live in extreme poverty, with the poverty threshold at 2.15 U.S. dollars a day. The share was equivalent to over *** million people. In 2030, the extreme poverty rate is projected to further decrease to ** percent.

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.

Poverty gap at $1.9 a day of Ghana rocketed by 37.50% from 3.2 % in 2012 to 4.4 % in 2016. Since the 33.91% drop in 2005, poverty gap at $1.9 a day sank by 42.11% in 2016. Poverty gap at $1.90 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $1.90 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. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Poverty ratio at $1.9 a day of Ghana jumped by 13.39% from 11.2 % in 2012 to 12.7 % in 2016. Since the 31.58% drop in 2005, poverty ratio at $1.9 a day sank by 45.73% in 2016. Poverty headcount ratio at $1.90 a day is the percentage of the population living on less than $1.90 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.

Ghana GH: Multidimensional Poverty Intensity (average share of deprivations experienced by the poor) data was reported at 51.800 % in 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 51.700 % for 2016. Ghana GH: Multidimensional Poverty Intensity (average share of deprivations experienced by the poor) data is updated yearly, averaging 51.750 % from Dec 2010 (Median) to 2018, with 4 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 54.200 % in 2011 and a record low of 41.800 % in 2010. Ghana GH: Multidimensional Poverty Intensity (average share of deprivations experienced by the poor) 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;;

24.4 (%) in 2016. Poverty gap at $5.50 a day (2011 PPP) is the mean shortfall in income or consumption from the poverty line $5.50 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.

Number of poor at $1.9 a day of Ghana rocketed by 23.33% from 3.0 million persons in 2012 to 3.7 million persons in 2016. Since the 17.46% drop in 2005, number of poor at $1.9 a day sank by 28.85% in 2016. Number of people, in millions, living on less than $1.90 a day at 2011 PPP is calculated by multiplying the poverty rate and the population. As a result of revisions in PPP exchange rates, poverty rates for individual countries cannot be compared with poverty rates reported in earlier editions.

Abstract

The Ghana Living Standards Survey (GLSS7) primarily focused on consumption poverty and inequality in Ghana. It also examined some poverty-related issues such as asset ownership and access to services and human development. The GLSS7 survey analyzed macroeconomic developments in the country since 2005, focusing on growth in gross domestic product (GDP), trends in inflation, balance of payments, and public expenditures.

In the previous survey in 2012/13, a new consumption basket was derived, and this produced new poverty lines and a new set of items to be included in the welfare measurement. A review of this basket reveals that there is no drastic change in the consumption pattern, and therefore the basket was maintained for the current survey. GLSS7 examined the pattern of poverty in Ghana since 2005 based on the 2012/13 basket.

The data collection for the survey was carried out by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). A nationally representative sample of about 15,000 households, in 1,000 Enumeration Areas (EAs), was interviewed over a period of 12 months. The specific objectives of the GLSS7 survey were:

• To provide information on patterns of household's consumption and expenditure at a lower level of disaggregation.
• To provide the basis for the construction of a new basket for the next re-basing of the Consumer Price Index (CPI).
• To provide information for updating national accounts.
• To provide information on household access and use of financial services.
• To provide information that will enable credible comparison between growth rates in the northern savannah ecological zone and those in the southern ecological zone of Ghana.
• To provide information on the systematic monitoring of the extent of poverty reduction in the northern savannah ecological zone.
• To estimate the number of persons in the labour force (Employed, Under-employed and Unemployed) and their disaggregation by sex, major age-groups, educational level, geographical and rural/ urban spread, as well as the ecological manifestations of these, in particular, the northern savannah ecological zone which is a known source of migrant and child labour.
• To estimate the number of child workers (or children engaged in economic activities) 5-17 years, and its disaggregation by sex, age-groups, educational status, geographical location, ecological and locality of residence.
• To identify the distribution of both adult workers and children in economic activity by status in employment, occupation and industry, hours worked in a week, location of place of work, earnings, occupational injury and hazards at the work place, contractual status, and sector of employment.
• To provide data needed for progress monitoring of labour policies, programs and law-making.
• To provide indicators and up-to-date information for assessing the Agriculture situation.
• To provide data needed for monitoring progress towards the elimination of Worst Forms of Child Labour (WFCL).
• To estimate the prevalence of child labour (as distinct from children in employment of which child labour is a subset).
• To identify the causes and consequences of child labour in terms of socio-economic factors.
• To establish a national database on decent work indicators, including Labour Force and Child Labour statistics.
• To help set targets and priorities in the fight against child labour.
• To assess the nature and extent of child labour in Ghana.

Geographic coverage

National

Analysis unit

• Household
• Individual
• Community

Kind of data

Sample survey data [ssd]

Sampling procedure

A nationally representative sample of households was selected in order to achieve the survey objectives. After the selection of EAs and before the main survey, a household listing operation was carried out in all the selected EAs. The household listing operation consists of visiting each of the 1,000 selected EAs to record all structures and households within the EAs with the addresses and the names of the heads of the households using Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI). The listed households served as the sampling frame for the selection of 15 households in the second stage selection for the main survey using a systematic sampling method.

There was a two-stage sampling procedure. In the first stage enumeration areas (EAs) were selected based on the 2010 Population and Housing Census, with probability proportional to size (number of households). At the second stage a fixed number of households were selected by systematic sampling within each of the selected EAs.

Mode of data collection

Face-to-face [f2f]

Research instrument

The GLSS was comprised of the following questionnaires: 1. Household Questionnaire Module A 2. Household Questionnaire Module B 3. Section 13: Governance, Peace, Security and Data protection 4. Price Data Questionnaire 5. Community Questionnaire 6. Non- farm Enterprise Questionnaire