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Last update: January, 20 2021

Ghana

flag of Ghana
Government
NameRepublic of Ghana
Government typePresidential republic
CapitalAccra (2,291,352 (2013))
CurrencyGhanaian cedi (GHS)
Organization
Member StateCommonwealth of Nations
People
Population (2020)31,072,945 (47th)
Density of population101.5 P/km2 (103rd)
NationalityGhanaian
Official languages
English
Ethnic groups (2010)
Akan47.5%
Mole-Dagbon16.6%
Ewe13.9%
Ga-Dangme7.4%
Gurma5.7%
Guan3.7%
Grusi2.5%
Mande1.1%
Other1.4%
Religions (2010)
Christian71.2%
Pentecostal/Charismatic28.3%
Protestant18.4%
Catholic13.1%
Other11.4%
Muslim17.6%
Traditional5.2%
Other0.8%
None5.2%
Life expectancy (2020)
Male65.6 years
Female70.8 years
Total population68.2 years (176th)
Homicides
Total (2017)2.1 per 100,000 people (107th)
Geography
Land area227,533 km2
water area11,000 km2
total area238,533 km2 (83th)
Mean elevation190 m
Lowest point
Atlantic Ocean0 m
Highest point
Mount Afadjato885 m
Land use (2011)
Agricultural land69.1%
Arable land20.7%
Permanent crops11.9%
Permanent pasture36.5%
Forest21.2%
Other9.7%
Urbanization
Urban population (2020)57.3%
Rate of urbanization3.34% annual rate of change (2015 – 2020)
Economy
Labor force (2017)12.49 million  (47th)
Labor force by occupation (2013)
Agriculture44.7%
Industry14.4%
Services 40.9%
Unemployment rate (2015)11.9% (158th)
GDP (PPP) (estimate 2020)
Total$226 billion
Per capita$7,343
GDP (nominal) (estimate 2020)
Total$69.757 billion
Per capita$2,266
GDP by sector (estimate 2017)
Agriculture18.3%
Industry24.5%
Services57.2%
Exports (2017)$13.84 billion (77th)
Exports partners (2017)
India23.8%
UAE13.4%
China10.8%
Switzerland10.1%
Vietnam5.2%
Burkina Faso4%
Imports (2017)$12.65 billion (92nd)
Imports partners (2017)
China16.8%
US8%
UK6.2%
Belgium5.9%
India4.1%

Ghana on the world map

Ghana on the world map

Ghana top 10 largest cities (2013)

  1. Accra (2,291,352)
  2. Kumasi (2,069,350)
  3. Tamale (562,919)
  4. Sekondi-Takoradi (539,548)
  5. Ashaiman (298,841)
  6. Sunyani (248,496)
  7. Cape Coast (227,269)
  8. Obuasi (180,334)
  9. Teshie (176,597)
  10. Tema (161,612)

Demography

Population pyramid

population pyramid of Ghana (2020)

Age structure data

Estimate for 2020:

  • 0-14 years: 37.44% (male 5,524,932/female 5,460,943)
  • 15-24 years: 18.64% (male 2,717,481/female 2,752,601)
  • 25-54 years: 34.27% (male 4,875,985/female 5,177,959)
  • 55-64 years: 5.21% (male 743,757/female 784,517)
  • 65 years and over: 4.44% (male 598,387/female 703,686)

Remark: the age structure of a population affects a nation’s key socioeconomic issues. Countries with young populations (high percentage under age 15) need to invest more in schools, while countries with older populations (high percentage ages 65 and over) need to invest more in the health sector. The age structure can also be used to help predict potential political issues. For example, the rapid growth of a young adult population unable to find employment can lead to unrest.

Population from 1950 to 2020

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Source: United Nations, Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division (2019). World Population Prospects 2019, Online Edition. Rev. 1.


Evolution of the life expectancy from 1960 to 2018

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Source: World Development Indicators, The World Bank

Economy

Agriculture:

cocoa, rice, cassava (manioc, tapioca), peanuts, corn, shea nuts, bananas, timber

Industries:

mining, lumbering, light manufacturing, aluminum smelting, food processing, cement, small commercial ship building, petroleum

Exports – commodities:

oil, gold, cocoa, timber, tuna, bauxite, aluminum, manganese ore, diamonds, horticultural products

Imports – commodities:

capital equipment, refined petroleum, foodstuffs

Time zone and current time in Ghana

Go to our interactive map to get the current time in Ghana

Sources: