Population of Ghana

As of May 2026, the population of Ghana is 36 million. The number of inhabitants has increased by 663 thousand in the last year, representing a growth of 1.87%. The median age of the population has increased in recent years, rising from 19.8 years in 2016 to 21.3 years in 2026. Currently, life expectancy at birth is 66 years and population density is 158.7 inhabitants per square kilometer.

Population Growth

The population growth rate of Ghana peaked in 1959, reaching around 3.26% annually, but has since declined to approximately 1.84% in 2026. The annual increase in the number of people has also decreased from a peak of around 688.55 thousand in 2016 to nearly 662.95 thousand in 2026.

Life Expectancy

In Ghana, life expectancy at birth has been increasing, with the indicator rising from 60 years in 2006 to 66 years in 2026, representing an increase de 6 years over the past 2 decades.

Most populous cities in Ghana

Ghana has several cities considered medium-sized by their number of inhabitants, but there are also some large ones. The most populous city is Kumasi, Ashanti, with approximately 2.5 million inhabitants. It is followed by Accra, Greater Accra with 2 million and Tamale, Northern with 464.3 thousand.

These are the 20 most populous cities in Ghana: