Ghana: health and care

How much does Ghana spend on the National Health Insurance Scheme?

Ghana's 2026 budget programmes GH₵9.0 billion for National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) claims, essential medicines, vaccines, bridging support and Free Primary Healthcare, according to the Ministry of Finance's 2026 Budget Statement. A further GH₵2.3 billion is allocated to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund (MahamaCares) for people with chronic diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and kidney disease, and GH₵474 million to nursing trainee allowances.

The National Health Insurance Fund was "uncapped" under the Earmarked Funds Capping and Realignment Act, so its levy income is no longer limited by a cap, which the budget says allowed the NHIS to clear arrears to providers. The National Health Insurance Authority registers members and pays claims.

Official sources: Ministry of Finance: 2026 Budget Statement · National Health Insurance Authority

What is the maternal mortality rate in Ghana?

Ghana's maternal mortality ratio was 234 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2023, according to the World Bank, using modelled estimates from the UN Maternal Mortality Estimation Inter-agency Group. It was 239 in 2022. The 2021 Population and Housing Census found that maternal-related deaths made up 15.4% of household deaths of women aged 15 to 49 in rural areas and 13.1% in urban areas, with the highest share in North East Region (26.0%).

The ratio counts women who die from pregnancy-related causes during pregnancy or within 42 days of its end. The modelled estimates allow comparison across countries, and the census figures show differences between regions.

Official sources: World Bank: maternal mortality ratio, Ghana · Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 PHC Volume 3 highlights

What is the infant mortality rate in Ghana?

Ghana's infant mortality rate was 27.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024, according to the World Bank, using estimates from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. It was 28.4 in 2023 and 29.4 in 2022. The under-five mortality rate was 35.9 per 1,000 live births in 2024, the World Bank reports.

The infant rate counts babies who die before their first birthday; the under-five rate includes all deaths before age five. The estimates combine household surveys, such as the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, with other data. The 2026 budget says the HPV vaccine for girls has been rolled out nationwide.

Official sources: World Bank: infant mortality rate, Ghana · World Bank: under-five mortality rate, Ghana

What is the death rate in Ghana?

Ghana's crude death rate was 7.0 deaths per 1,000 people in 2024, according to the World Bank, using UN Population Division estimates. It was 7.0 in 2023 and 7.1 in 2022. The 2026 budget allocates GH₵2.3 billion to the Ghana Medical Trust Fund for treating chronic diseases such as cancer, hypertension, diabetes, stroke and kidney disease, the Ministry of Finance's 2026 Budget Statement says.

The crude rate divides all deaths in a year by the population, so it is low in countries with a young population, such as Ghana. The Ghana Statistical Service publishes mortality data from the census.

Official sources: World Bank: crude death rate, Ghana · Ministry of Finance: 2026 Budget Statement

How much does Ghana spend on healthcare?

Ghana's current health spending was 2.9% of GDP in 2023, according to the World Bank, using WHO data, down from 3.7% in 2022. Out-of-pocket payments by households made up 26.7% of health spending in 2023, the World Bank reports. Ghana had 0.27 medical doctors per 1,000 people in 2023.

Current health spending includes government, insurance, household and donor spending, but not investment in buildings and equipment. Out-of-pocket payments are what patients pay directly at the point of care; the National Health Insurance Scheme is meant to reduce them. The 2026 budget programmes GH₵9.0 billion for the NHIS and related health spending.

Official sources: World Bank: current health expenditure, Ghana · World Bank: out-of-pocket expenditure, Ghana

What is the average life expectancy in Ghana?

In 2024, life expectancy at birth in Ghana was 65.7 years, according to the UN Population Division. No year since 2005 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3 years, and Ghana placed 22nd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 165th of 193.

How many babies die in Ghana?

In 2024, the infant mortality rate in Ghana was 27.5 per 1,000, according to the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 37.2 per 1,000, and Ghana placed 40th highest of 48. Worldwide: 52nd of 192.

What is the maternal mortality rate in Ghana?

According to the WHO, the maternal mortality ratio in Ghana was 234 per 100,000 in 2023. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 29th highest of 48 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 257 per 100,000. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 32nd highest.

What is Ghana's health spending?

In 2023, current health spending in Ghana was 2.9% of GDP, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2013, at 4.6% of GDP; its low point was 2018, at 2.4% of GDP. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 4.4% of GDP; Ghana is 43rd highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2023 data, 176th highest.

How much of health care in Ghana do patients pay for?

26.7%: that is out-of-pocket health spending in Ghana for 2023, according to the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 22.7% (2017) to 45.1% (2014). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 32.4%; Ghana is 33rd highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 191.

How many doctors per person does Ghana have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Ghana at 0.27 per 1,000 in 2023. No year since 2007 has been higher. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 0.18 per 1,000, and Ghana placed 6th highest of 16. Worldwide: 45th of 58.

How many hospital beds per person does Ghana have?

According to the WHO, hospital beds per 1,000 people in Ghana was 0.69 per 1,000 in 2015. The peak was 0.73 per 1,000 in 2013 and the low 0.68 per 1,000 in 2011. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 0.74 per 1,000; Ghana is 10th highest of 17. Worldwide: 129th of 142.

What is measles vaccine coverage in Ghana?

90.0%: that is measles vaccination among children aged 12 to 23 months in Ghana for 2024, according to WHO and UNICEF. The peak was 95.0% in 2007 and the low 83.0% in 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 81.0%, and Ghana placed 8th highest of 48. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 92nd highest.