Ghana’s urban population hits 19.8 million as housing, sanitation gaps persist

Ghana's urban population surpassed 19.8 million people in 2025, accounting for 58.7 percent of the total population, according to the latest figures from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS). This growth highlights the nation's increasing demand for housing, sanitation, and other essential services, as urban areas continue to expand.

The data, presented in the Ghana in Numbers, 2025 publication, also reveal persistent inequalities in living conditions despite progress in access to electricity, drinking water, and sanitation.

Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu urged decision-makers to rely on local figures rather than national averages when allocating resources, as the latter may mask significant disparities. The urban population in Ghana has been growing since 2010, when it surpassed the rural population for the first time. Urban areas now house approximately 19.8 million people, with significant implications for infrastructure planning, including roads, schools, healthcare facilities, water systems, transport, and waste management.

Despite improvements in access to basic services, challenges remain. The proportion of households with electricity rose 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. However, approximately 30.8 percent of the urban population resides in slums or informal settlements, and nearly 14 percent have no access to improved sanitation.

These figures underscore the importance of using district-level data to guide investment decisions, as national averages may not accurately reflect the specific needs of individual communities.