Old-age dependency ratio in Ghana
Ghana: Old-age dependency ratio was 6.0% in 2023. ▼ Falling
Old-age dependency ratio in Ghana, 1950–2023
Source: UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for old-age dependency ratio in Ghana is 6.0%, measured in 2023.
That represents a change of up 1.5% on the previous year and up 4.2% over ten years.
Over the whole period, old-age dependency ratio in Ghana peaked at 8.5% in 1950 and was at its lowest, 4.9%, in 1982.
That places Ghana 195th out of 236 countries with data for 2023, putting it in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 74 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 7.0% | 5.8% | 8.5% | 10 |
| 1960s | 6.6% | 5.7% | 7.1% | 10 |
| 1970s | 5.7% | 5.1% | 6.9% | 10 |
| 1980s | 5.0% | 4.9% | 5.2% | 10 |
| 1990s | 5.3% | 5.0% | 5.7% | 10 |
| 2000s | 5.9% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 10 |
| 2010s | 5.8% | 5.8% | 5.9% | 10 |
| 2020s | 5.9% | 5.8% | 6.0% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
- 192 Tajikistan 6.1% compare
- 193 Namibia 6.0% compare
- 194 Democratic Republic of Congo 6.0% compare
- 196 Mauritania 6.0% compare
- 197 Madagascar 5.8% compare
- 198 Liberia 5.8% compare
More reference data data for Ghana
- Spring temperature anomalies -0.2851 °C (2026)
- Summer temperature anomalies -0.0419 °C (2026)
- Temperature anomalies by month 0.8532 °C (2026)
- Universal right to vote in practice 2 (2025)
- Autumn temperature anomalies 0.3544 °C (2025)
- Winter temperature anomalies 0.6214 °C (2025)
- Consumer price index 855.78 2010 = 100 (2025)
- Universal right to vote 2 (2025)
- Competitive elections 1 (2025)
- Men's universal right to vote 1 (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is old-age dependency ratio in Ghana?
- Old-age dependency ratio in Ghana was 6.0% in 2023, according to UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest old-age dependency ratio recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 8.5% in 1950.
- What is the lowest old-age dependency ratio recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 4.9% in 1982.
- How does Ghana rank for old-age dependency ratio?
- Ghana ranks 195th out of 236 countries with data for 2023.
- Is old-age dependency ratio rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 4.2%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from UN, World Population Prospects (2024) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Old-age dependency ratio. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The number of people aged 65 and over per 100 working-age people (aged 15 to 64).