Ghana: cost of living

How fast are food prices rising in Ghana?

Food and non-alcoholic beverage prices in Ghana were 3.98% higher in September 2026 than a year earlier, according to the Ghana Statistical Service's September 2026 CPI annexes. Non-food prices rose 6.24%, and overall inflation was 5.22%. A year earlier, in September 2025, food inflation was 11.0%. In August 2026 food inflation was 3.0%, the August CPI bulletin says.

Food has a weight of 42.7% in Ghana's Consumer Price Index. The Bank of Ghana attributes low food inflation in 2026 to improved food supply conditions. Monthly food prices can still rise: they were up 1.48% between August and September 2026.

Official sources: Ghana Statistical Service: September 2026 CPI COICOP annexes · Ghana Statistical Service: August 2026 CPI bulletin

Are electricity tariffs going up in Ghana?

Ghana's electricity and water tariffs are unchanged (0%) for the fourth quarter of 2026, from 1 October, according to the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) decision of 24 September 2026. PURC applied an exchange rate of GH₵11.5646 to the US dollar, a 3.04% depreciation of the cedi from the third quarter, an average annual inflation rate of 4.97%, and a natural gas price of US$7.8379 per MMBtu.

PURC reviews tariffs each quarter to reflect the exchange rate, inflation, the generation mix and fuel costs. Earlier tariff increases in 2026 fed into prices: the Bank of Ghana says utility tariff adjustments lifted non-food inflation in August 2026. The PURC site publishes each quarterly decision.

Official sources: PURC: 2026 fourth quarter tariff review decision for electricity and water · Public Utilities Regulatory Commission

What is core inflation in Ghana?

The Bank of Ghana's core inflation measure, which excludes energy and utility prices, was 4.2% in August 2026, down from 4.3% in July, according to its September 2026 MPC press release. Headline inflation was 5.0% in August and 5.22% in September, the Ghana Statistical Service reports, below the lower bound of the Bank's medium-term target of 8% ± 2%.

Core inflation removes the most volatile prices to show underlying pressure. The Bank expects headline inflation to move up into the target band over the next few quarters. It lists utility tariffs, petroleum prices, transport fares and a stronger US dollar as upside risks.

Official sources: Bank of Ghana: MPC press release, 24 September 2026 · Ghana Statistical Service: inflation rate

Which region of Ghana has the highest inflation?

Ashanti had the highest inflation of Ghana's 16 regions in September 2026, at 9.8% year on year, according to the Ghana Statistical Service's September 2026 CPI annexes. Eastern followed at 7.8% and Central at 7.2%. Prices fell slightly in Western (−0.5%) and Bono East (−0.1%) and were flat in Northern (0.0%). Greater Accra, which has the largest weight in the index, recorded 3.4%. National inflation was 5.22%.

Regional rates use the same basket as the national index, weighted to each region's spending. In August 2026 rates ranged from −3.3% in Bono East to 11.1% in Central, the GSS August CPI bulletin says.

Official sources: Ghana Statistical Service: September 2026 CPI COICOP annexes · Ghana Statistical Service: August 2026 CPI bulletin

Are imported or local goods rising faster in price in Ghana?

Prices of locally produced items in Ghana rose 6.43% in the year to September 2026, while prices of imported items rose 2.40%, according to the Ghana Statistical Service's September 2026 CPI annexes. Services prices rose 8.28%, and goods prices 4.23%. Locally produced items make up 68.5% of the CPI basket and imported items 31.5%.

Imported goods prices are affected by the cedi exchange rate and world prices. Services include rent, transport fares, utilities and education. The GSS publishes these breakdowns each month with its CPI release.

Official sources: Ghana Statistical Service: September 2026 CPI COICOP annexes · Ghana Statistical Service: inflation rate

What is the inflation rate in Ghana?

The IMF puts consumer price inflation in Ghana at 14.2% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 7.1% (2019) to 38.1% (2023). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 3.4%; Ghana is 5th highest of 39. World rank, highest first: 10th of 165.

What is household spending per person in Ghana?

In 2024, household consumption per person in Ghana was $1,728, according to the World Bank. No year since 2006 has been higher. Sub-Saharan Africa median: $853; Ghana is 11th highest of 41. Of 153 countries with 2024 data, 112th highest.

What share of people in Ghana live in extreme poverty?

In 2016, the share of people living on less than $3.00 a day in Ghana was 39.0%, according to the World Bank. It was 60.9% in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 60.1%, and Ghana placed 6th highest of 7. Worldwide: 6th of 81.

How many people in Ghana are poor?

The latest figure from the World Bank, for 2016, is 23.4%. In 2005 the figure was 31.9%. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 51.2%; Ghana is 5th highest of 6. Of 56 countries with 2016 data, 19th highest.

What is Ghana's Gini coefficient?

In 2016, the Gini index in Ghana was 43.5, according to the World Bank. In 2005 the figure was 42.8. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 43.7; Ghana is 5th highest of 7. Worldwide: 16th of 81.

What is food insecurity in Ghana?

In 2024, moderate or severe food insecurity in Ghana was 43.5%, according to the FAO. Since 2015 it has ranged from 36.6% (2020) to 44.5% (2023). It is 27th highest of 34 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 60.5%. Of 135 countries with 2024 data, 34th highest.