Share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required in Ghana
Ghana: Share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required was 9.1% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required in Ghana, 2003–2022
Source: Harvard Medical School Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in % of people at risk.
Analysis
The most recent figure for share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required in Ghana is 9.1%, measured in 2022.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 82.0% on the previous year and down 54.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required in Ghana peaked at 53.5% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 5.0%, in 2021.
That places Ghana 74th out of 134 countries with data for 2022, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required in Ghana, year by year
| Year | % of people at risk | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 53.5% | — |
| 2004 | 49.2% | -8.0% |
| 2005 | 37.5% | -23.8% |
| 2006 | 31.3% | -16.5% |
| 2007 | 28.9% | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 24.3% | -15.9% |
| 2009 | 11.9% | -51.0% |
| 2010 | 14.4% | +21.0% |
| 2011 | 11.5% | -20.1% |
| 2012 | 19.9% | +73.0% |
| 2013 | 9.3% | -53.3% |
| 2014 | 13.9% | +49.5% |
| 2016 | 19.9% | +43.2% |
| 2017 | 21.1% | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 18.4% | -12.8% |
| 2019 | 15.3% | -16.8% |
| 2020 | 5.5% | -64.1% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | -9.1% |
| 2022 | 9.1% | +82.0% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 33.8% | 11.9% | 53.5% | 7 |
| 2010s | 16.0% | 9.3% | 21.1% | 9 |
| 2020s | 6.5% | 5.0% | 9.1% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
- 73 Mongolia 10.4% compare
- 75 Costa Rica 8.9% compare
- 76 Mauritius 8.8% compare
- 77 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 8.6% compare
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 the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required in Ghana?
- Share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required in Ghana was 9.1% in 2022, according to Harvard Medical School Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 53.5% in 2003.
- What is the lowest share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.0% in 2021.
- How does Ghana rank for share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required?
- Ghana ranks 74th out of 134 countries with data for 2022.
- Is share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 54.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from Harvard Medical School Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), via World Bank (2026) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Share of the population at risk of catastrophic spending when surgical care is required. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Catastrophic expenditure is defined as direct out-of-pocket payments for surgical and anaesthesia care exceeding 10% of total income.