Nearly 20 million Ghanaians now live in cities and towns - GSS report

Nearly 20 million Ghanaians now live in cities and towns, putting increasing pressure on housing, electricity, water and sanitation services across the country.

According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), about 19.8 million people, representing 58.7 percent of Ghana’s population, were living in urban areas in 2025.

The figures, contained in the latest Ghana in Numbers, 2025 report, show a steady increase in the number of Ghanaians settling in urban areas, raising the need for improved housing, roads and other basic services.

The report revealed that Ghana first recorded more people living in urban areas than in rural communities in 2010, when the urban population reached 12.55 million, compared to 12.11 million in rural areas.

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By 2021, the number of people living in urban areas had increased to 17.47 million, while the rural population stood at 13.36 million. The urban population is estimated to have reached 19.8 million in 2025.

Despite this growth, the report found that 30.8 percent of people living in urban areas still reside in slums or informal settlements, raising concerns about housing conditions and access to basic services.

On housing, the GSS estimated that Ghana had a housing deficit of 1.8 million units in 2021, an improvement from the 2.8 million recorded in 2010.

However, the Service explained that the housing deficit does not indicate whether available homes are affordable or in good condition.

The report also revealed that the average household size had declined to 3.6 people, the lowest level recorded, a development that could increase demand for additional housing.

Meanwhile, access to electricity improved from 43.8 percent in 2000 to 86.3 percent in 2021, while access to improved drinking water increased from 60.7 percent to 92 percent over the same period.

Access to improved sanitation also rose from 44.8 percent in 2010 to 69 percent in 2022.

Despite these improvements, the report found that about one in seven households still has no access to electricity, while nearly one in three lacks access to an improved toilet.

Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu said the findings should guide how the government allocates resources and provides essential services across the country.

“Use local figures, not national averages, to decide where the next cedi goes, because averages hide differences,” he stated.

He stressed that population figures should guide authorities in determining where to build schools, hospitals and housing facilities to meet the needs of growing communities.

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The GSS said district-level data would help policymakers identify communities that urgently require improved housing, water, sanitation and electricity services.

DR/MA

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