Share of population living in rural areas in Ghana
Ghana: Share of population living in rural areas was 23.16 in 2020. ▼ Falling
Share of population living in rural areas in Ghana, 1950–2020
Source: Our World in Data.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of population living in rural areas in Ghana is 23.16, measured in 2020. That is the lowest value across all 15 years on record.
The figure is down 9.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of population living in rural areas in Ghana peaked at 55.09 in 1950 and was at its lowest, 23.16, in 2020.
Ghana ranks 141st of 236 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 15 years of available data.
Share of population living in rural areas in Ghana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 55.09 | — |
| 1955 | 52.43 | -4.8% |
| 1960 | 49.41 | -5.8% |
| 1965 | 47.12 | -4.6% |
| 1970 | 44.93 | -4.7% |
| 1975 | 42.22 | -6.0% |
| 1980 | 40.65 | -3.7% |
| 1985 | 38.81 | -4.5% |
| 1990 | 36.82 | -5.1% |
| 1995 | 33.14 | -10.0% |
| 2000 | 30.33 | -8.5% |
| 2005 | 27.68 | -8.7% |
| 2010 | 25.52 | -7.8% |
| 2015 | 24.16 | -5.3% |
| 2020 | 23.16 | -4.2% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 23.16 is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 28.75, 81% of the median. (47 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 23.16 is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 30.61, 76% of the median. (48 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 53.76 | 52.43 | 55.09 | 2 |
| 1960s | 48.27 | 47.12 | 49.41 | 2 |
| 1970s | 43.57 | 42.22 | 44.93 | 2 |
| 1980s | 39.73 | 38.81 | 40.65 | 2 |
| 1990s | 34.98 | 33.14 | 36.82 | 2 |
| 2000s | 29 | 27.68 | 30.33 | 2 |
| 2010s | 24.84 | 24.16 | 25.52 | 2 |
| 2020s | 23.16 | 23.16 | 23.16 | 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)
- Population growth rate 0.141 (2100)
- Population density 296.87 (2100)
- Projected population under age 5 4.28 million (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is share of population living in rural areas in Ghana?
- Share of population living in rural areas in Ghana was 23.16 in 2020, according to Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 55.09 in 1950.
- What is the lowest share of population living in rural areas recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.16 in 2020.
- How does Ghana rank for share of population living in rural areas?
- Ghana ranks 141st out of 236 countries with data for 2020.
- Is share of population living in rural areas rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from Our World in Data, published as part of Share of population living in rural areas. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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