Childhood stunting rates in Ghana
Ghana: Childhood stunting rates was 21.6% in 2015. ▲ Rising
Childhood stunting rates in Ghana, 1955–2015
Source: Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for childhood stunting rates in Ghana is 21.6%, measured in 2015.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 29.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, childhood stunting rates in Ghana peaked at 50.6% in 1985 and was at its lowest, 12.3%, in 1955.
That places Ghana 11th out of 34 countries with data for 2015, putting it in the middle of the range.
Childhood stunting rates in Ghana, year by year
| Year | % | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1955 | 12.3% | — |
| 1985 | 50.6% | +311.1% |
| 1995 | 41.4% | -18.1% |
| 2005 | 30.5% | -26.3% |
| 2015 | 21.6% | -29.4% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 21.6% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 24.5%, 88% of the median. (8 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 21.6% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 24.5%, 88% of the median. (5 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1950s | 12.3% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 1 |
| 1980s | 50.6% | 50.6% | 50.6% | 1 |
| 1990s | 41.4% | 41.4% | 41.4% | 1 |
| 2000s | 30.5% | 30.5% | 30.5% | 1 |
| 2010s | 21.6% | 21.6% | 21.6% | 1 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
More reference data data for Ghana
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.2805 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 1.89 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 2.69 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 0.1989 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Indirect emissions (N2O) - Agricultural Soils 2.69 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure applied to Soils 0.9405 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure Management 0.9478 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Manure left on Pasture 8.22 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - IPCC Agriculture 12.64 (2050)
- Emission Totals - Emissions (N2O) - Crop Residues 1.08 (2050)
Frequently asked questions
- What is childhood stunting rates in Ghana?
- Childhood stunting rates in Ghana was 21.6% in 2015, according to Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest childhood stunting rates recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 50.6% in 1985.
- What is the lowest childhood stunting rates recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 12.3% in 1955.
- How does Ghana rank for childhood stunting rates?
- Ghana ranks 11th out of 34 countries with data for 2015.
- Is childhood stunting rates rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 29.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is rising.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from Schneider et al. (2026) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Childhood stunting rates. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 5 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Share of children between 2 and 10 years old who are stunted, so shorter than would be expected for their age. Stunting is a sign of long-term malnutrition or poor health in early childhood.