Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ghana
Ghana: Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas was 48.9% in 2020. ◆ Volatile
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ghana, 1950–2020
Source: European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
In 2020, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ghana stood at 48.9%. That is the highest value across all 15 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 13.5% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ghana peaked at 48.9% in 2020 and was at its lowest, 8.8%, in 1950.
Ghana ranks 60th of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ghana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 8.8% | — |
| 1955 | 10.3% | +17.6% |
| 1960 | 12.0% | +16.0% |
| 1965 | 14.1% | +17.9% |
| 1970 | 16.1% | +14.1% |
| 1975 | 18.4% | +14.2% |
| 1980 | 21.1% | +14.7% |
| 1985 | 22.7% | +7.6% |
| 1990 | 24.6% | +8.6% |
| 1995 | 30.0% | +22.0% |
| 2000 | 33.2% | +10.5% |
| 2005 | 37.4% | +12.6% |
| 2010 | 43.1% | +15.3% |
| 2015 | 46.4% | +7.8% |
| 2020 | 48.9% | +5.3% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 9.5% | 8.8% | 10.3% | 2 |
| 1960s | 13.0% | 12.0% | 14.1% | 2 |
| 1970s | 17.2% | 16.1% | 18.4% | 2 |
| 1980s | 21.9% | 21.1% | 22.7% | 2 |
| 1990s | 27.3% | 24.6% | 30.0% | 2 |
| 2000s | 35.3% | 33.2% | 37.4% | 2 |
| 2010s | 44.7% | 43.1% | 46.4% | 2 |
| 2020s | 48.9% | 48.9% | 48.9% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More population data for Ghana
- Population regions with projections, annual growth rate 0.1514 % change on previous year (2100)
- Urban and rural population 2050, annual growth rate -1.09 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population long run with projections, annual growth rate 0.1514 % change on previous year (2100)
- Un population 2024 vs 2022, annual growth rate 0.2469 % change on previous year (2100)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 05 - Demographic estimates 52,232 Persons (2050)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 03 - Annual population 1.76 Percent per annum (2030)
- Projected population under age 5, annual growth rate -0.5066 % change on previous year (2100)
- World population growth 0.1% (2100)
- Population density 296.87 people per km² (2100)
- Number of children under 5, by world region 4.28 million people (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ghana?
- Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas in Ghana was 48.9% in 2020, according to European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 48.9% in 2020.
- What is the lowest share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 8.8% in 1950.
- How does Ghana rank for share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas?
- Ghana ranks 60th out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 13.5%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from European Commission, Joint Research Centre (JRC) (2025) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in cities, towns and rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Estimated share of the population living in cities. Cities are identified using satellite imagery and population data, applying the same definitions across countries.