Northern: population, jobs, poverty, housing, water, schooling and health
Northern is a region of Ghana, number 5 of 16 by population. The 2021 Population and Housing Census counted 2,310,939 people in the Northern Region, 7.5% of Ghana's 30.83 million; 5th largest of Ghana's 16 regions. This census is the latest official count.
In depth
- Economy, jobs and prices in Northern: 14.3% of people aged 15 and over in the labour force in the Northern Region were unemployed at the 2021 census (96,385 people), 6th highest of Ghana's 16 regions (Ghana: 13.4%).
- Health in Northern: 55.8% of children aged 12 to 23 months in the Northern Region had received all basic vaccinations in the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, the lowest of Ghana's 16 regions (Ghana: 74.6%).
- Education in Northern: 43.5% of people aged 15 and over in the Northern Region could read and write with understanding in at least one language at the 2021 census, 3rd lowest of Ghana's 16 regions (Ghana: 72.2%).
- Poverty and living standards in Northern: 49.4% of people in the Northern Region (1,123,336) were multidimensionally poor by the 2021 census measure of the Ghana Statistical Service, 4th highest of Ghana's 16 regions (Ghana: 29.9%). People count as poor when deprived in at least 4 of 12 indicators of education, health and living conditions.
How big are households in the Northern Region?
The census found 437,934 households in the Northern Region, with an average of 5.2 people each (Ghana: 3.6); by household size it ranks 2nd largest of Ghana's 16 regions.
Source: Ghana Statistical Service · saved copyHow regions are governed in Ghana
Regions (16). Regional minister appointed by the president; Regional Coordinating Council includes MMDA heads and two chiefs from the regional House of Chiefs. Coordinates and monitors districts; not an elected government.
Every tier of government in Ghana
Other regions of Ghana
- Greater Accra 5,455,692
- Ashanti 5,440,463
- Eastern 2,925,653
- Central 2,859,821
- Western 2,060,585
- Volta 1,659,040
- Upper East 1,301,226
- Bono 1,208,649
- Bono East 1,203,400
- Upper West 901,502
- Western North 880,921
- Oti 747,248
- North East 658,946
- Savannah 653,266
- Ahafo 564,668
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Sources
- Ghana Statistical Service and ICF (The DHS Program): Ghana Demographic and Health Survey 2022, final report (tables 2.6, 5.2, 8.3, 9.9, 10.4, 11.1, 11.12 and 14.1.1 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c3ec15d8465f…)
- Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 Population and Housing Census, General Report Volume 3E district tables: Economic Activity (tables 3E.1a, 3E.11a and 3E.19a), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 b4275bf6f3dc…)
- Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 Population and Housing Census, General Report Volume 3D district tables: Literacy and Education (tables 3D.3a, 3D.7a and 3D.8a), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 836bec77d67e…)
- Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 Population and Housing Census, General Report Volume 3K: Housing Characteristics (tables 5.1, 5.10 and 5.11 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 bdd88e32b71f…)
- Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 PHC thematic report: Gender Dynamics in Multidimensional Poverty (Table A.3: multidimensionally poor population by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 0fb1860d93ec…)
- Ghana Statistical Service: 2021 Population and Housing Census, General Report Volume 3M: Water and Sanitation (tables 5.3 and 5.8 by region), read 27 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 6d128406bdbf…)
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