Urban area over the long-term in Ghana
Ghana: Urban area over the long-term was 4,600 km² per grid cell in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Latest (2025)
4,600 km² per grid cell
Change on year
up 2.8%
World rank
30th
of 202 countries
All-time high
4,600 km² per grid cell
in 2025
All-time low
0.004 km² per grid cell
in 1000
Years of data
108
1000–2025
Urban area over the long-term in Ghana, 1000–2025
Source: HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data. Measured in km² per grid cell.
Analysis
Ghana recorded 4,600 km² per grid cell for urban area over the long-term in 2025. That is the highest value across all 108 years on record.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 2.8% on the previous year and up 36.1% over ten years.
Over the whole period, urban area over the long-term in Ghana peaked at 4,600 km² per grid cell in 2025 and was at its lowest, 0.004 km² per grid cell, in 1000.
Ghana ranks 30th of 202 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Urban area over the long-term in Ghana, year by year
| Year | km² per grid cell | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1000 | 0.004 km² per grid cell | — |
| 1100 | 0.0137 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1200 | 0.0471 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1300 | 0.1615 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1400 | 0.5537 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1500 | 1.9 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1600 | 6.51 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1700 | 22.32 km² per grid cell | +242.9% |
| 1710 | 24.89 km² per grid cell | +11.5% |
| 1720 | 26.99 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1730 | 29.25 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1740 | 31.71 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1750 | 34.37 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1760 | 37.24 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1770 | 40.35 km² per grid cell | +8.4% |
| 1780 | 43.72 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1790 | 47.36 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1800 | 51.3 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1810 | 55.56 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1820 | 60.16 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1830 | 65.14 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1840 | 70.52 km² per grid cell | +8.3% |
| 1850 | 76.33 km² per grid cell | +8.2% |
| 1860 | 88.28 km² per grid cell | +15.7% |
| 1870 | 101.94 km² per grid cell | +15.5% |
| 1880 | 118.39 km² per grid cell | +16.1% |
| 1890 | 136.61 km² per grid cell | +15.4% |
| 1900 | 151.6 km² per grid cell | +11.0% |
| 1910 | 155.9 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
| 1920 | 155.9 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1930 | 155.9 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1940 | 155.9 km² per grid cell | +0.0% |
| 1950 | 156.14 km² per grid cell | +0.2% |
| 1951 | 165.28 km² per grid cell | +5.9% |
| 1952 | 176.03 km² per grid cell | +6.5% |
| 1953 | 188.13 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1954 | 201.49 km² per grid cell | +7.1% |
| 1955 | 216.01 km² per grid cell | +7.2% |
| 1956 | 231.64 km² per grid cell | +7.2% |
| 1957 | 248.39 km² per grid cell | +7.2% |
| 1958 | 266.42 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1959 | 285.9 km² per grid cell | +7.3% |
| 1960 | 305.53 km² per grid cell | +6.9% |
| 1961 | 322.78 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1962 | 340.9 km² per grid cell | +5.6% |
| 1963 | 359.69 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1964 | 378.78 km² per grid cell | +5.3% |
| 1965 | 397.89 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1966 | 416.83 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1967 | 435.71 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1968 | 455.15 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1969 | 476.01 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1970 | 496.68 km² per grid cell | +4.3% |
| 1971 | 512.97 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 1972 | 532.77 km² per grid cell | +3.9% |
| 1973 | 554.28 km² per grid cell | +4.0% |
| 1974 | 574.88 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 1975 | 592.79 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1976 | 610.88 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1977 | 626.31 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1978 | 641.98 km² per grid cell | +2.5% |
| 1979 | 662 km² per grid cell | +3.1% |
| 1980 | 689.44 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 1981 | 713.7 km² per grid cell | +3.5% |
| 1982 | 745.64 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1983 | 783.08 km² per grid cell | +5.0% |
| 1984 | 826.09 km² per grid cell | +5.5% |
| 1985 | 877.24 km² per grid cell | +6.2% |
| 1986 | 924.34 km² per grid cell | +5.4% |
| 1987 | 967.51 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1988 | 1,012 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1989 | 1,059 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1990 | 1,110 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1991 | 1,162 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1992 | 1,217 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1993 | 1,276 km² per grid cell | +4.9% |
| 1994 | 1,338 km² per grid cell | +4.8% |
| 1995 | 1,401 km² per grid cell | +4.7% |
| 1996 | 1,466 km² per grid cell | +4.6% |
| 1997 | 1,533 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1998 | 1,602 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 1999 | 1,674 km² per grid cell | +4.5% |
| 2000 | 1,837 km² per grid cell | +9.7% |
| 2001 | 1,912 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2002 | 1,991 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2003 | 2,074 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2004 | 2,161 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2005 | 2,251 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2006 | 2,346 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2007 | 2,444 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2008 | 2,546 km² per grid cell | +4.2% |
| 2009 | 2,651 km² per grid cell | +4.1% |
| 2010 | 2,746 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2011 | 2,851 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2012 | 2,959 km² per grid cell | +3.8% |
| 2013 | 3,068 km² per grid cell | +3.7% |
| 2014 | 3,180 km² per grid cell | +3.6% |
| 2015 | 3,380 km² per grid cell | +6.3% |
| 2016 | 3,497 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2017 | 3,615 km² per grid cell | +3.4% |
| 2018 | 3,736 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2019 | 3,859 km² per grid cell | +3.3% |
| 2020 | 3,985 km² per grid cell | +3.2% |
| 2021 | 4,104 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2022 | 4,226 km² per grid cell | +3.0% |
| 2023 | 4,349 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2024 | 4,473 km² per grid cell | +2.9% |
| 2025 | 4,600 km² per grid cell | +2.8% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 4,600 km² per grid cell is above the median for lower middle income countries, which is 837.49 km² per grid cell, 5.5× the median. (45 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 4,600 km² per grid cell is above the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 733.88 km² per grid cell, 6.3× the median. (46 countries reporting)
Biggest year-on-year movements
Years where Urban area over the long-term in Ghana changed far more than this series normally does. A large move can be a real event or a change in how the figure was measured — the source note below says who published it.
| Year | Change | From | To |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1100 | +242.9% | 0.004 km² per grid cell | 0.0137 km² per grid cell |
| 1200 | +242.9% | 0.0137 km² per grid cell | 0.0471 km² per grid cell |
| 1300 | +242.9% | 0.0471 km² per grid cell | 0.1615 km² per grid cell |
| 1400 | +242.9% | 0.1615 km² per grid cell | 0.5537 km² per grid cell |
| 1500 | +242.9% | 0.5537 km² per grid cell | 1.9 km² per grid cell |
| 1600 | +242.9% | 1.9 km² per grid cell | 6.51 km² per grid cell |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1000s | 0.004 km² per grid cell | 0.004 km² per grid cell | 0.004 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1100s | 0.0137 km² per grid cell | 0.0137 km² per grid cell | 0.0137 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1200s | 0.0471 km² per grid cell | 0.0471 km² per grid cell | 0.0471 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1300s | 0.1615 km² per grid cell | 0.1615 km² per grid cell | 0.1615 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1400s | 0.5537 km² per grid cell | 0.5537 km² per grid cell | 0.5537 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1500s | 1.9 km² per grid cell | 1.9 km² per grid cell | 1.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1600s | 6.51 km² per grid cell | 6.51 km² per grid cell | 6.51 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1700s | 22.32 km² per grid cell | 22.32 km² per grid cell | 22.32 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1710s | 24.89 km² per grid cell | 24.89 km² per grid cell | 24.89 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1720s | 26.99 km² per grid cell | 26.99 km² per grid cell | 26.99 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1730s | 29.25 km² per grid cell | 29.25 km² per grid cell | 29.25 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1740s | 31.71 km² per grid cell | 31.71 km² per grid cell | 31.71 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1750s | 34.37 km² per grid cell | 34.37 km² per grid cell | 34.37 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1760s | 37.24 km² per grid cell | 37.24 km² per grid cell | 37.24 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1770s | 40.35 km² per grid cell | 40.35 km² per grid cell | 40.35 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1780s | 43.72 km² per grid cell | 43.72 km² per grid cell | 43.72 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1790s | 47.36 km² per grid cell | 47.36 km² per grid cell | 47.36 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1800s | 51.3 km² per grid cell | 51.3 km² per grid cell | 51.3 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1810s | 55.56 km² per grid cell | 55.56 km² per grid cell | 55.56 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1820s | 60.16 km² per grid cell | 60.16 km² per grid cell | 60.16 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1830s | 65.14 km² per grid cell | 65.14 km² per grid cell | 65.14 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1840s | 70.52 km² per grid cell | 70.52 km² per grid cell | 70.52 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1850s | 76.33 km² per grid cell | 76.33 km² per grid cell | 76.33 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1860s | 88.28 km² per grid cell | 88.28 km² per grid cell | 88.28 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1870s | 101.94 km² per grid cell | 101.94 km² per grid cell | 101.94 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1880s | 118.39 km² per grid cell | 118.39 km² per grid cell | 118.39 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1890s | 136.61 km² per grid cell | 136.61 km² per grid cell | 136.61 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1900s | 151.6 km² per grid cell | 151.6 km² per grid cell | 151.6 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1910s | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1920s | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1930s | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1940s | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 155.9 km² per grid cell | 1 |
| 1950s | 213.54 km² per grid cell | 156.14 km² per grid cell | 285.9 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1960s | 388.93 km² per grid cell | 305.53 km² per grid cell | 476.01 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1970s | 580.55 km² per grid cell | 496.68 km² per grid cell | 662 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1980s | 859.77 km² per grid cell | 689.44 km² per grid cell | 1,059 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 1990s | 1,378 km² per grid cell | 1,110 km² per grid cell | 1,674 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2000s | 2,221 km² per grid cell | 1,837 km² per grid cell | 2,651 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2010s | 3,289 km² per grid cell | 2,746 km² per grid cell | 3,859 km² per grid cell | 10 |
| 2020s | 4,290 km² per grid cell | 3,985 km² per grid cell | 4,600 km² per grid cell | 6 |
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 urban area over the long-term in Ghana?
- Urban area over the long-term in Ghana was 4,600 km² per grid cell in 2025, according to HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest urban area over the long-term recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 4,600 km² per grid cell in 2025.
- What is the lowest urban area over the long-term recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.004 km² per grid cell in 1000.
- How does Ghana rank for urban area over the long-term?
- Ghana ranks 30th out of 202 countries with data for 2025.
- Is urban area over the long-term rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 36.1%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from HYDE (2025) – with minor processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Urban area over the long-term. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
CSV · JSON — 108 observations, free to reuse under CC BY 4.0 (Our World in Data).
About this data
Total built-up area of a country over time.