Ghana’s population is projected to grow from 30.83 million in 2021 to 48.45 million, 52.46 million, and 58.77 million by 2050.
According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) report, the high variant scenario will result in an additional 10.4 million people by 2050 compared to the low variant. The medium variant is generally considered the most realistic projection for future population trends.
Launched in Accra on Tuesday, the report predicts a decline in the proportion of children to 29.1 percent and an increase in persons aged 60 and above to 10.8 percent by 2050.
The GSS based these predictions on the 2021 population census, historical data, and factors such as migration, fertility, and mortality rates.
The 2021 census recorded Ghana’s population at 30.83 million, with an estimated increase to 1.07 times that number by 2024.
Dr. Faustina Frempong-Ainguah, Deputy Government Statistician in charge of Social and Population Statistics, presented highlights of the report, emphasizing its role in tracking the implementation of national, continental, and global development goals.
The report indicates that “population pressure on Accra will deepen” by 2030, with the region’s population density expected to reach about 2,143 persons per square kilometer.
Conversely, nine out of 16 regions, including Volta, Oti, Western North, North East, Upper West, Savannah, and Upper East, “will continue to remain rural” by 2030.
Dr. Frempong-Ainguah suggested more developmental projects and job creation in less populated areas to help redistribute Accra’s population.
She called for efficient land use in the capital, proposing high-rise buildings to accommodate the growing population and the establishment of factories in less dense areas to attract people.
“There is pressure on Accra, but there are other solutions… In Accra, we should consider building more high-rise buildings instead of one-story structures. Factories can be set up in less dense areas to create jobs and attract people,” she told the Ghana News Agency.
The government statistician also urged policymakers to make provisions for the elderly, as their numbers are expected to increase in the future.
Additionally, the GSS predicts that the number of school-age children will reach 15.86 million by 2030, with the Greater Accra region alone projected to have 2.96 million school-age children by that time.
