Ghana Population Pyramid (2026)
Ghana has a population of 35,697,557 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 46th-largest population in the world and 0.43% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 35.0% of the population and people aged 65 and over 3.9%, with 99.7 males for every 100 females.
Ghana Demographics
Ghana has 35.7 million people in 2026, up 299.9% from 8.9 million in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 654,961 (UN projection for 2026).
65+ share 3.9% — the 46th-lowest of 194 countries.
Median age 21.6 — the 51st-lowest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Gen Z — 29.8% (10,633,100)
All generations in Ghana →Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how Ghana's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
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Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
Ghana has 99.7 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 52,773 (0.1% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:17,822,392
- Percentage:49.9%
Female Statistics
- Population:17,875,165
- Percentage:50.1%
- Ratio Format:1:1.003
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of Ghana indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 903,735 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 879,105 | 27.0 | 3.49 | estimate |
| 2022 | 881,635 | 26.6 | 3.43 | estimate |
| 2023 | 888,947 | 26.3 | 3.40 | estimate |
| 2024 | 892,343 | 25.9 | 3.34 | projection |
| 2025 | 897,874 | 25.6 | 3.30 | projection |
| 2026 | 903,735 | 25.3 | 3.26 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (903,735 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
Ghana's median age is 21.6 years
Half the population is younger than 21.6 years, half is older — indicating a very young society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 4,299,099 | 12.0% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 4,129,660 | 11.6% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 4,069,481 | 11.4% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 3,639,106 | 10.2% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 3,248,817 | 9.1% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 2,816,825 | 7.9% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 2,542,768 | 7.1% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 2,343,153 | 6.6% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 2,077,835 | 5.8% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 1,735,488 | 4.9% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 1,376,873 | 3.9% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 1,130,407 | 3.2% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 897,223 | 2.5% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 596,984 | 1.7% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 379,772 | 1.1% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 228,817 | 0.6% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 120,897 | 0.3% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 50,390 | 0.1% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 12,424 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 1,463 | 0.0% | Senior |
| 100+ | 74 | 0.0% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 3 (falling birth rate): 3.26 children per woman and 25.3 births per 1,000, with a low death rate (7.0). Read more about Stage 3 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
Ghana Total Fertility Rate: 3.26 children per woman
Above the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 3.49 | 27.0 | |
| 2022 | 3.43 | 26.6 | ↓0.06 |
| 2023 | 3.40 | 26.3 | ↓0.03 |
| 2024 | 3.34 | 25.9 | ↓0.06 |
| 2025 | 3.30 | 25.6 | ↓0.04 |
| 2026 | 3.26 | 25.3 | ↓0.04 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Above global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 3.10
Ghana's total fertility rate is 3.26 children per woman in 2026 (above replacement), above the replacement level of 2.1. Ghana ranks 46 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the highest third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −51.3% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, Ghana's population has increased by 602.6%.
The median age has increased from 17.7 in 1950 to 21.6 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding Ghana's Demographics
Ghana has an expansive population pyramid — a broad base of children that narrows steadily toward older ages.
Children under 15 make up 35.0% of the population and people aged 65 and over 3.9%.
The largest five-year age band is 0–4, at 12.0% of the population.
Demographic Analysis: Ghana's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
The working-age share is still rising, from 58.2% in 2016 to 61.1% in 2026 (dependency ratio 63.7).
Fertility Transition Stage
Ghana is in a period of above replacement, with a total fertility rate of 3.26 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
Ghana's median age changed by +1.7 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 35,697,557 |
| Male Population | 17,822,392(49.9%) |
| Female Population | 17,875,165(50.1%) |
| Median Age | 21.6 years |
| Sex Ratio | 99.7 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 12,498,240(35.0%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 21,808,496(61.1%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 1,390,821(3.9%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 63.7 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 57.3 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 6.4 |
| Pyramid Type | Expansive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in Ghana
How long the average person in Ghana is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
Ghana is projected to grow to 50.6 million people by 2050 (+41.6% from 2026).
The median age rises from 21.6 in 2026 to 27.0 by 2050.
Ghana's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 33.8%, growing from 8.9 million in 1970 to 11.9 million by 1980
The median age increased by 0.7 years, indicating population aging during this period
The youth population share contracted by 2.1 percentage points
Meanwhile, the elderly population proportion declined by 0.7 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 8.9M to 11.9M
- • Growth rate of 33.8% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 14.9 to 15.6 years (+0.7y)
- • 65+ share changed by −0.7 points; under-15 share by −2.1 points
How Does Ghana Compare to Its Neighbors?
Ghana has an older population than Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Togo. Ghana has a smaller population than Nigeria.
Ghana
Nigeria
Burkina Faso
Côte d'Ivoire
Togo
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana (Current) | 35,697,557 | 21.6 | 35.0% | 3.9% | expansive |
| Nigeria | 242,431,831 | 18.3 | 40.0% | 3.1% | expansive |
| Burkina Faso | 24,601,699 | 18.0 | 40.5% | 2.7% | expansive |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 33,494,345 | 18.5 | 40.0% | 2.7% | expansive |
| Togo | 9,930,918 | 19.2 | 38.8% | 3.3% | expansive |
Frequently Asked Questions About Ghana
How does Ghana rank globally by population?
Ghana ranks 46th in the world by population with 35.7 million people as of 2026, representing 0.43% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does Ghana's age structure reveal about its development?
Ghana's age structure — 35.0% under 15, 61.1% working-age (15–64) and 3.9% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 3 of the demographic transition, with an expansive population pyramid. The median age is 21.6 years.
What is the dependency ratio in Ghana?
Ghana has 63.7 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is Ghana experiencing a demographic dividend?
Ghana is opening its demographic-dividend window. The working-age share is still rising, from 58.2% in 2016 to 61.1% in 2026 (dependency ratio 63.7). The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in Ghana's population?
Ghana has more females than males, with 99.7 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). Ghana Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/ghana
View UN World Population Prospects Data →