Ghana: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Ghana — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
29,767,108
#46 of 197 countries
Area
238,533 km²
#82 of 248 countries
Density
124.8 / km²
#93 of 245 countries

Ghana has a population of 29,767,108 spread across 238,533 km², giving it an average density of 124.8 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
21.6
Life Expectancy
70.1 yrs
Literacy Rate
76.5%
Government
presidential republic
Ethnic Groups
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Ghana is classified as a lower middle income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 32% of US levels, meaning your money goes significantly further here — accommodation, food, and transport are very affordable by Western standards.

Income Level
Lower middle income
GDP per Capita
$2,384
Cost of Living
32% of US
Inflation
38.1%
Inequality
43.5
High
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$7,100
Unemployment
3.1%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 0.9% of Ghana's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$191,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
0.9%
Air Passengers
440,680
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Ghana has 0.27 physicians per 1,000 people, which is well below the global average of 1.7. Travel insurance with medical evacuation coverage is strongly recommended.

Physicians
0.27/1k
Hospital Beds
0.69/1k
Health Spend
$70/person
Infant Mortality
28.2/1k
Immunization
90%
Safe Drinking Water
89.9%
Bottled water recommended
Basic Sanitation
31.6%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Ghana, 70% of the population uses the internet — WiFi is available in cities and tourist areas, but coverage may be patchy in rural regions. There are 99 mobile subscriptions per 100 people.

Internet Users
69.9%
Mobile Subs
99/100
Broadband
0.6/100
Electricity Access
89.5%
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data