Ghana Lifts 950,000 People Out of Poverty in One Year

Nearly a million people in Ghana moved out of poverty between September 2024 and September 2025, marking significant progress in one of West Africa's fastest-improving economies.

The Ghana Statistical Service reported that multidimensional poverty dropped from 23.9 percent to 21.9 percent over nine months in 2025. Between the second and third quarters of 2025 alone, more than 360,000 people improved their living conditions enough to rise above the poverty line.

Unlike traditional poverty measurements that only look at income, Ghana tracks four key areas: health, living conditions, education, and employment. This broader view captures the real challenges families face, from accessing clean water to getting medical care.

Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu shared the findings in Accra, celebrating the national progress while acknowledging work remains. The data reveals that health and living conditions account for more than 70 percent of poverty challenges, with health alone representing 40.9 percent of deprivations.

Education continues to transform lives in dramatic ways. Households led by someone with a college degree face just a 5.7 percent poverty rate, compared to 38.5 percent for those headed by someone without formal schooling.

Employment status shows similar patterns. Public sector workers experience poverty rates of only 5.3 percent, while households led by unemployed people face rates of 35.6 percent.

The Bright Side

Despite regional gaps, the overall trend points toward real improvement for millions of families. Urban poverty fell to 14.2 percent, though rural areas still face challenges at 31.9 percent.

The Northern regions, particularly North East and Savannah, recorded poverty rates above 50 percent, highlighting where targeted support could help the most. In contrast, Greater Accra and Western regions achieved rates below 20 percent, proving that sustained development efforts work.

The government plans to expand health insurance coverage, improve sanitation, strengthen school feeding programs, and create more jobs in high-poverty regions. These aren't abstract policy goals but concrete steps that helped nearly a million people already.

Every percentage point drop represents thousands of families with better healthcare, safer homes, and brighter futures for their children.