An Early Look at Ghana’s Population and Housing Census
The Ghana Statistical Service has launched the preliminary report of the 2021 Population and Housing Census (PHC)[1] that was carried out earlier this year (delayed by a year due to the pandemic). It is the first fully-digital census that Ghana has had and while we anticipate the findings of the substantive report (set to be launched for 18th November 2021[2]) here we draw out four key findings and their impact.
1. Population growing but slightly slower than African average.
The results show a 24.9% increase in the total population from 24.6 million people in 2010 to 30.8 million in 2021, an average growth rate of 2.1% per year. This is slower than the 2.5% recorded between 2000-2010 and also slightly slower growth than the average growth rate of 2.6% in Africa[3]. Even still, the pressure on job creation is significant, in a country where the working age population is 15.9 million, of which 11.6 million are actually in the labour market and where waged employment accounts for only 25% of those who are working[4].
2. More women (but more female representation needed).
Ghana usually records a higher number of women than men and this census is no different – 50.7% female to 49.3% male. The figures highlight the many inequalities in female representation across the country. For example, a list of nominees for heads of local governments that was released earlier this month contained only 38 females out of 260 candidates – 14.6%. The figure is almost identical in parliament with 40 out of 275 MPs being female – 14.5%. In the private sector, the picture is better at SME level with 46.4% of businesses being owned by women – a world leading figure in 2019. However, fewer senior positions are held by women. A report by The Boardroom Africa[5] shows that 23% of board seats of listed companies were held by women and only 8% of CEOs or MDs were female.
3. Concerning housing situation.
The preliminary data does not give a figure for an estimated housing deficit yet the PHC shows that 19.8% of structures in Ghana are uncompleted, with 57% of structures nationally being used for residential purposes. The findings also show that 20.5% of all structures are metal containers, wooden structures or kiosks. The inadequacy of affordable housing is problematic across the country and particularly burdensome on the most densely populated regions such as the Greater Accra, Ashanti and Central. The Executive Secretary of Ghana’s Real Estate Developers Association (GREDA), Samuel Amegayibor, believes there is a 5.7m housing shortage in Ghana, in spite of the fact that the country records an estimated 85,000 housing transactions annually[6]. A number of these projects are for high-end projects and fail to tackle the pressing needs at a grassroots level. With extreme weather patterns becoming increasingly common due to climate change, the need for permanent, resistant structures is incontrovertible.
4. Shifting Population Centres
The Greater Accra region has overtaken the Ashanti Region as the most populous in the country. It has grown from 16.3% of the overall population to 17.7% whilst Ashanti has fallen from 19.4% to 17.6%. Migration to urban centres such as Kumasi and Accra as the popularity of agriculture wanes in favour of the services sector is a key factor. The Northern Region is one of the fastest growing regions whose percentage of the total population rose from 6.3% in 2010 to 7.5% in 2021.
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[1] https://statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/fileUpload/pressrelease/PRINT%20COPY%20VERSION%20FOUR%2022ND%20SEPT%20AT%208_30AM.pdf
[2] https://statsghana.gov.gh/gssmain/storage/img/infobank/2021%20PHC%20Release%20Calendar_140921.pdf
[3] https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/SP.POP.GROW?locations=ZG
[4] https://openknowledge.worldbank.org/bitstream/handle/10986/34849/Structural-Transformation-and-Labor-Market-Performance-in-Ghana.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
[5] https://theboardroomafrica.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/2020-Ghana-Listed-Companies_Report.pdf
[6] https://www.pulse.com.gh/feat/how-tika-mall-is-addressing-the-housing-deficit-in-ghana/167ryhr