Ghana has a population of 34.4M (ranked 47/197), compared with 64M in South Africa (ranked 24/197). Ghana's land area is 87,851 sq mi versus 468,377 sq mi for South Africa (ranked 81st vs. 24th).
By GDP, Ghana ranks 80/197 ($82.3B) and South Africa ranks 40/197 ($401B). By GDP per capita, Ghana ranks 151/197 ($2,391), while South Africa ranks 111/197 ($6,267).
Main facts and rankings
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Population |
35885254
|
65683993
|
| Population rank | 46/197 | 24/197 |
| GDP |
$82.3B
2024 |
$401B
2024 |
| GDP rank | 80/197 | 40/197 |
| GDP per capita |
$2,391
2024 |
$6,267
2024 |
| GDP per capita rank | 151/197 | 111/197 |
| GDP per capita, PPP |
$8,020
2024 |
$15,456
2024 |
| Government debt |
$57.9B
2024 |
$305B
2024 |
| Debt-to-GDP ratio |
70.3%
2024 |
76%
2024 |
| Government debt per person |
$1,682
2024 |
$4,761
2024 |
| Government debt per person rank | 123/185 | 83/185 |
| Average annual personal income after taxes |
$2,110
2026 |
$15,431
2026 |
| Land area | 87,851 sq mi | 468,377 sq mi |
| Population density |
407 ppl/mi²
2026 |
139.8 ppl/mi²
2026 |
| Fertility rate |
3.4
2023 |
2.22
2023 |
| Median age |
22.2 years
2024 |
29.5 years
2024 |
| Life expectancy |
66.1 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
Ghana and South Africa: Comparison Charts
Ghana and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $82,308,110,386 | $401,144,998,374 |
| 2023 | $80,547,146,878 | $381,440,724,491 |
| 2022 | $73,919,003,210 | $407,596,043,068 |
| 2021 | $79,514,204,730 | $419,986,284,375 |
| 2020 | $70,008,243,860 | $337,974,655,408 |
| 2019 | $68,352,629,246 | $389,330,032,224 |
| 2018 | $67,259,353,966 | $405,260,723,893 |
| 2017 | $60,385,409,435 | $381,448,814,653 |
| 2016 | $56,144,179,398 | $323,585,509,674 |
| 2015 | $49,436,806,230 | $346,709,790,459 |
| 2014 | $54,678,533,806 | $381,198,869,776 |
| 2013 | $62,845,721,960 | $400,886,013,596 |
| 2012 | $41,271,701,061 | $434,400,545,086 |
| 2011 | $39,336,668,081 | $458,199,494,831 |
| 2010 | $32,197,655,567 | $417,363,822,802 |
| 2009 | $26,048,720,006 | $329,754,060,647 |
| 2008 | $28,679,383,241 | $316,131,258,616 |
| 2007 | $24,827,339,138 | $333,077,117,254 |
| 2006 | $20,885,037,597 | $303,858,675,364 |
| 2005 | $10,744,568,381 | $288,867,217,197 |
| 2004 | $8,881,417,907 | $255,806,908,595 |
| 2003 | $7,632,723,556 | $197,018,965,309 |
| 2002 | $6,166,197,848 | $129,087,556,612 |
| 2001 | $5,314,872,854 | $135,429,905,923 |
| 2000 | $4,982,850,662 | $151,752,757,215 |
| 1999 | $7,718,109,982 | $151,516,957,079 |
| 1998 | $7,482,069,162 | $152,982,984,557 |
| 1997 | $6,891,443,192 | $168,978,057,328 |
| 1996 | $6,932,991,739 | $163,234,925,381 |
| 1995 | $6,464,382,808 | $171,735,933,897 |
| 1994 | $5,446,383,727 | $153,512,712,382 |
| 1993 | $5,968,922,939 | $147,194,747,566 |
| 1992 | $6,416,103,926 | $146,956,150,987 |
| 1991 | $6,603,185,268 | $135,203,698,238 |
| 1990 | $5,889,106,573 | $126,048,140,142 |
| 1989 | $5,251,858,440 | $108,055,624,082 |
| 1988 | $5,197,765,032 | $103,976,831,871 |
| 1987 | $5,074,829,932 | $96,535,763,418 |
| 1986 | $5,735,677,434 | $73,354,771,399 |
| 1985 | $4,504,306,723 | $64,459,376,087 |
| 1984 | $4,412,279,843 | $84,870,163,366 |
| 1983 | $4,057,275,132 | $96,204,110,942 |
| 1982 | $4,035,994,398 | $85,904,057,409 |
| 1981 | $4,222,441,860 | $93,141,472,164 |
| 1980 | $4,445,228,216 | $89,411,864,402 |
| 1979 | $4,020,227,920 | $63,038,658,089 |
| 1978 | $3,662,478,185 | $51,607,412,902 |
| 1977 | $3,189,428,571 | $45,328,411,332 |
| 1976 | $2,765,254,237 | $41,150,460,288 |
| 1975 | $2,810,106,383 | $42,906,905,672 |
| 1974 | $2,894,409,938 | $41,389,186,095 |
| 1973 | $3,006,766,758 | $33,262,772,008 |
| 1972 | $2,112,293,280 | $24,515,919,217 |
| 1971 | $2,417,108,578 | $23,411,076,638 |
| 1970 | $2,215,028,588 | $21,218,391,513 |
| 1969 | $1,962,050,556 | $19,256,992,297 |
| 1968 | $1,666,909,518 | $17,124,793,150 |
| 1967 | $1,747,187,645 | $15,821,393,671 |
| 1966 | $2,126,300,672 | $14,211,394,315 |
| 1965 | $2,053,462,968 | $13,068,994,772 |
| 1964 | $1,731,296,200 | $11,955,995,218 |
| 1963 | $1,540,797,589 | $10,854,195,658 |
| 1962 | $1,382,515,654 | $9,813,996,074 |
| 1961 | $1,302,674,325 | $9,225,996,310 |
| 1960 | $1,217,230,095 | $8,748,596,501 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ghana/south-africa | CC BY 
Ghana and South Africa economies compared
| Year | GDP per capita | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | $2,391 | $6,267 |
| 2023 | $2,384 | $6,034 |
| 2022 | $2,230 | $6,534 |
| 2021 | $2,445 | $6,829 |
| 2020 | $2,195 | $5,581 |
| 2019 | $2,187 | $6,534 |
| 2018 | $2,195 | $6,914 |
| 2017 | $2,012 | $6,618 |
| 2016 | $1,912 | $5,651 |
| 2015 | $1,723 | $6,112 |
| 2014 | $1,950 | $6,857 |
| 2013 | $2,295 | $7,332 |
| 2012 | $1,544 | $8,077 |
| 2011 | $1,507 | $8,646 |
| 2010 | $1,264 | $7,973 |
| 2009 | $1,048 | $6,375 |
| 2008 | $1,183 | $6,185 |
| 2007 | $1,050 | $6,592 |
| 2006 | $906 | $6,077 |
| 2005 | $479 | $5,837 |
| 2004 | $406 | $5,221 |
| 2003 | $358 | $4,062 |
| 2002 | $297.5 | $2,688 |
| 2001 | $263.5 | $2,847 |
| 2000 | $253.7 | $3,218 |
| 1999 | $403 | $3,242 |
| 1998 | $400 | $3,310 |
| 1997 | $378 | $3,700 |
| 1996 | $389 | $3,618 |
| 1995 | $372 | $3,856 |
| 1994 | $321 | $3,489 |
| 1993 | $360 | $3,400 |
| 1992 | $396 | $3,462 |
| 1991 | $418 | $3,243 |
| 1990 | $383 | $3,093 |
| 1989 | $350 | $2,727 |
| 1988 | $355 | $2,702 |
| 1987 | $355 | $2,586 |
| 1986 | $411 | $2,027 |
| 1985 | $330 | $1,839 |
| 1984 | $330 | $2,504 |
| 1983 | $311 | $2,938 |
| 1982 | $319 | $2,717 |
| 1981 | $344 | $3,050 |
| 1980 | $372 | $3,029 |
| 1979 | $347 | $2,202 |
| 1978 | $326 | $1,852 |
| 1977 | $292.3 | $1,671 |
| 1976 | $261 | $1,559 |
| 1975 | $273 | $1,670 |
| 1974 | $289.4 | $1,656 |
| 1973 | $310 | $1,369 |
| 1972 | $223.8 | $1,038 |
| 1971 | $263.4 | $1,020 |
| 1970 | $248.2 | $952 |
| 1969 | $225.8 | $891 |
| 1968 | $196.7 | $817 |
| 1967 | $211.2 | $779 |
| 1966 | $263.3 | $722 |
| 1965 | $260.5 | $685 |
| 1964 | $225 | $646 |
| 1963 | $205 | $605 |
| 1962 | $188.4 | $563 |
| 1961 | $181.9 | $546 |
| 1960 | $174.9 | $532 |
Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ghana/south-africa | CC BY
Ghana vs. South Africa life expectancy calculator
| Year | Life expectancy, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2026 | 66.1 | 66.7 |
| 2025 | 65.9 | 66.5 |
| 2024 | 65.7 | 66.3 |
| 2023 | 65.5 | 66.1 |
| 2022 | 65.2 | 65.5 |
| 2021 | 64.3 | 62 |
| 2020 | 64.3 | 65.2 |
| 2019 | 64.5 | 66.1 |
| 2018 | 64.1 | 65.7 |
| 2017 | 63.8 | 65.4 |
| 2016 | 63.5 | 64.7 |
| 2015 | 63.2 | 64.1 |
| 2014 | 62.8 | 63.2 |
| 2013 | 62.4 | 62.4 |
| 2012 | 62 | 61.7 |
| 2011 | 61.6 | 60.6 |
| 2010 | 61.3 | 58.9 |
| 2009 | 60.9 | 57.4 |
| 2008 | 60.6 | 56 |
| 2007 | 60.3 | 54.9 |
| 2006 | 60 | 54.2 |
| 2005 | 59.6 | 53.9 |
| 2004 | 59.3 | 54 |
| 2003 | 59 | 54.2 |
| 2002 | 58.7 | 55.6 |
| 2001 | 58.4 | 57.2 |
| 2000 | 58.1 | 58.4 |
| 1999 | 57.8 | 59.2 |
| 1998 | 57.5 | 59.9 |
| 1997 | 57.2 | 60.5 |
| 1996 | 57 | 61.1 |
| 1995 | 56.7 | 61.6 |
| 1994 | 56.2 | 62.1 |
| 1993 | 56.3 | 62.6 |
| 1992 | 56.1 | 62.8 |
| 1991 | 55.7 | 63 |
| 1990 | 55.4 | 62.9 |
| 1989 | 54.9 | 63 |
| 1988 | 54.4 | 62.9 |
| 1987 | 53.8 | 62.7 |
| 1986 | 53.3 | 62.4 |
| 1985 | 52.7 | 62.2 |
| 1984 | 52.2 | 61.8 |
| 1983 | 51.8 | 61.4 |
| 1982 | 51.4 | 60.9 |
| 1981 | 51.3 | 60.4 |
| 1980 | 51.1 | 60 |
| 1979 | 50.8 | 59.5 |
| 1978 | 50.5 | 59 |
| 1977 | 50.1 | 58.5 |
| 1976 | 49.7 | 58 |
| 1975 | 49.3 | 57.6 |
| 1974 | 48.9 | 57.1 |
| 1973 | 48.6 | 56.7 |
| 1972 | 48.3 | 56.4 |
| 1971 | 47.9 | 56 |
| 1970 | 47.9 | 55.7 |
| 1969 | 47.9 | 55.4 |
| 1968 | 47.8 | 55.2 |
| 1967 | 47.7 | 55 |
| 1966 | 47.7 | 54.7 |
| 1965 | 47.7 | 54.4 |
| 1964 | 47.6 | 54.2 |
| 1963 | 47.5 | 53.9 |
| 1962 | 47.3 | 53.6 |
| 1961 | 47.1 | 53.1 |
| 1960 | 46.9 | 52.6 |
| 1959 | 46.7 | 51.9 |
| 1958 | 46.4 | 51.1 |
| 1957 | 46.1 | 50.2 |
| 1956 | 45.7 | 49.2 |
| 1955 | 45.4 | 48.2 |
| 1954 | 45 | 47.1 |
| 1953 | 44.5 | 46.1 |
| 1952 | 44 | 45 |
| 1951 | 43.6 | 44.1 |
| 1950 | 43.1 | 43.1 |
Data sources: United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10).
GeoRank.org/facts/ghana/south-africa | CC BY
Ghana and South Africa population clocks and comparison
| Year | Population | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 34,427,414 | 64,007,187 |
| 2023 | 33,787,914 | 63,212,384 |
| 2022 | 33,149,152 | 62,378,410 |
| 2021 | 32,518,665 | 61,502,603 |
| 2020 | 31,887,809 | 60,562,381 |
| 2019 | 31,258,945 | 59,587,885 |
| 2018 | 30,637,585 | 58,613,001 |
| 2017 | 30,008,354 | 57,635,162 |
| 2016 | 29,356,742 | 57,259,551 |
| 2015 | 28,696,068 | 56,723,537 |
| 2014 | 28,041,592 | 55,594,838 |
| 2013 | 27,386,193 | 54,678,791 |
| 2012 | 26,734,268 | 53,782,567 |
| 2011 | 26,095,088 | 52,995,205 |
| 2010 | 25,474,995 | 52,344,051 |
| 2009 | 24,862,664 | 51,728,516 |
| 2008 | 24,249,946 | 51,114,599 |
| 2007 | 23,642,279 | 50,528,584 |
| 2006 | 23,040,702 | 49,998,277 |
| 2005 | 22,449,438 | 49,490,033 |
| 2004 | 21,868,298 | 48,991,421 |
| 2003 | 21,296,705 | 48,500,348 |
| 2002 | 20,729,388 | 48,019,415 |
| 2001 | 20,167,069 | 47,566,800 |
| 2000 | 19,637,087 | 47,159,719 |
| 1999 | 19,149,864 | 46,730,335 |
| 1998 | 18,688,036 | 46,223,880 |
| 1997 | 18,238,958 | 45,666,838 |
| 1996 | 17,810,181 | 45,123,018 |
| 1995 | 17,399,017 | 44,541,554 |
| 1994 | 16,993,190 | 44,004,139 |
| 1993 | 16,589,519 | 43,297,156 |
| 1992 | 16,184,855 | 42,443,509 |
| 1991 | 15,787,496 | 41,687,898 |
| 1990 | 15,394,648 | 40,746,268 |
| 1989 | 15,006,813 | 39,628,575 |
| 1988 | 14,636,568 | 38,480,649 |
| 1987 | 14,289,108 | 37,326,190 |
| 1986 | 13,965,217 | 36,180,515 |
| 1985 | 13,661,229 | 35,042,093 |
| 1984 | 13,370,590 | 33,892,788 |
| 1983 | 13,029,836 | 32,739,304 |
| 1982 | 12,643,819 | 31,615,339 |
| 1981 | 12,281,712 | 30,541,044 |
| 1980 | 11,941,448 | 29,518,857 |
| 1979 | 11,597,255 | 28,634,162 |
| 1978 | 11,248,450 | 27,869,507 |
| 1977 | 10,911,871 | 27,118,952 |
| 1976 | 10,594,913 | 26,395,450 |
| 1975 | 10,294,308 | 25,690,940 |
| 1974 | 10,000,523 | 24,989,108 |
| 1973 | 9,714,617 | 24,294,263 |
| 1972 | 9,438,187 | 23,609,456 |
| 1971 | 9,176,264 | 22,942,143 |
| 1970 | 8,925,813 | 22,279,984 |
| 1969 | 8,690,383 | 21,614,676 |
| 1968 | 8,475,729 | 20,957,287 |
| 1967 | 8,271,913 | 20,314,066 |
| 1966 | 8,074,521 | 19,690,087 |
| 1965 | 7,882,606 | 19,089,380 |
| 1964 | 7,695,739 | 18,511,361 |
| 1963 | 7,514,714 | 17,954,564 |
| 1962 | 7,337,375 | 17,418,522 |
| 1961 | 7,162,667 | 16,908,035 |
| 1960 | 6,961,215 | 16,440,172 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ghana/south-africa | CC BY
Fertility rates in Ghana and South Africa
| Year | Fertility rate | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2023 | 3.4 | 2.22 |
| 2022 | 3.43 | 2.23 |
| 2021 | 3.49 | 2.25 |
| 2020 | 3.54 | 2.26 |
| 2019 | 3.59 | 2.26 |
| 2018 | 3.65 | 2.27 |
| 2017 | 3.72 | 2.28 |
| 2016 | 3.87 | 2.26 |
| 2015 | 3.98 | 2.36 |
| 2014 | 4.03 | 2.42 |
| 2013 | 4.11 | 2.43 |
| 2012 | 4.15 | 2.45 |
| 2011 | 4.18 | 2.44 |
| 2010 | 4.18 | 2.44 |
| 2009 | 4.18 | 2.5 |
| 2008 | 4.22 | 2.68 |
| 2007 | 4.29 | 2.55 |
| 2006 | 4.4 | 2.55 |
| 2005 | 4.5 | 2.51 |
| 2004 | 4.5 | 2.44 |
| 2003 | 4.6 | 2.36 |
| 2002 | 4.69 | 2.32 |
| 2001 | 4.77 | 2.37 |
| 2000 | 4.83 | 2.41 |
| 1999 | 4.82 | 2.56 |
| 1998 | 4.83 | 2.63 |
| 1997 | 4.88 | 2.73 |
| 1996 | 4.96 | 2.99 |
| 1995 | 5.11 | 3.17 |
| 1994 | 5.25 | 3.26 |
| 1993 | 5.41 | 3.37 |
| 1992 | 5.52 | 3.48 |
| 1991 | 5.63 | 3.62 |
| 1990 | 5.74 | 3.72 |
| 1989 | 5.82 | 3.98 |
| 1988 | 5.92 | 4.18 |
| 1987 | 6.02 | 4.35 |
| 1986 | 6.08 | 4.41 |
| 1985 | 6.12 | 4.5 |
| 1984 | 6.15 | 4.57 |
| 1983 | 6.23 | 4.63 |
| 1982 | 6.31 | 4.7 |
| 1981 | 6.42 | 4.71 |
| 1980 | 6.47 | 4.78 |
| 1979 | 6.51 | 4.82 |
| 1978 | 6.56 | 4.85 |
| 1977 | 6.64 | 4.94 |
| 1976 | 6.7 | 5.07 |
| 1975 | 6.76 | 5.19 |
| 1974 | 6.82 | 5.3 |
| 1973 | 6.87 | 5.41 |
| 1972 | 6.92 | 5.49 |
| 1971 | 6.95 | 5.57 |
| 1970 | 6.95 | 5.63 |
| 1969 | 6.95 | 5.72 |
| 1968 | 6.89 | 5.78 |
| 1967 | 6.89 | 5.85 |
| 1966 | 6.86 | 5.91 |
| 1965 | 6.88 | 5.89 |
| 1964 | 6.9 | 5.96 |
| 1963 | 6.94 | 6.01 |
| 1962 | 6.94 | 6.05 |
| 1961 | 6.91 | 6.08 |
| 1960 | 6.89 | 6.11 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2023, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ghana/south-africa | CC BY
Ghana and South Africa demographics compared
| Year | Median age, years | |
|---|---|---|
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
| 2024 | 22.2 | 29.5 |
| 2023 | 22 | 29.2 |
| 2022 | 21.8 | 28.9 |
| 2021 | 21.7 | 28.6 |
| 2020 | 21.5 | 28.3 |
| 2019 | 21.3 | 27.9 |
| 2018 | 21.2 | 27.5 |
| 2017 | 21 | 27 |
| 2016 | 20.9 | 26.7 |
| 2015 | 20.8 | 26.4 |
| 2014 | 20.7 | 26 |
| 2013 | 20.6 | 25.7 |
| 2012 | 20.5 | 25.3 |
| 2011 | 20.3 | 25 |
| 2010 | 20.2 | 24.6 |
| 2009 | 20 | 24.3 |
| 2008 | 19.9 | 24 |
| 2007 | 19.7 | 23.8 |
| 2006 | 19.5 | 23.5 |
| 2005 | 19.3 | 23.3 |
| 2004 | 19.1 | 23.1 |
| 2003 | 19 | 22.8 |
| 2002 | 18.8 | 22.4 |
| 2001 | 18.6 | 22.2 |
| 2000 | 18.4 | 21.9 |
| 1999 | 18.3 | 21.6 |
| 1998 | 18.1 | 21.4 |
| 1997 | 17.9 | 21.2 |
| 1996 | 17.7 | 21.2 |
| 1995 | 17.6 | 21.5 |
| 1994 | 17.5 | 22 |
| 1993 | 17.4 | 21.9 |
| 1992 | 17.3 | 21.5 |
| 1991 | 17.2 | 21.5 |
| 1990 | 17.2 | 21.3 |
| 1989 | 17.1 | 21.1 |
| 1988 | 17.1 | 20.9 |
| 1987 | 17.1 | 20.7 |
| 1986 | 17.1 | 20.5 |
| 1985 | 17.1 | 20.4 |
| 1984 | 17.1 | 20.2 |
| 1983 | 17 | 20 |
| 1982 | 16.9 | 19.8 |
| 1981 | 16.7 | 19.6 |
| 1980 | 16.7 | 19.4 |
| 1979 | 16.5 | 19.3 |
| 1978 | 16.4 | 19.2 |
| 1977 | 16.2 | 19.1 |
| 1976 | 16 | 19 |
| 1975 | 15.9 | 18.9 |
| 1974 | 15.8 | 18.9 |
| 1973 | 15.8 | 18.8 |
| 1972 | 15.8 | 18.8 |
| 1971 | 15.9 | 18.8 |
| 1970 | 15.9 | 18.8 |
| 1969 | 16 | 18.8 |
| 1968 | 16.1 | 18.8 |
| 1967 | 16.2 | 18.8 |
| 1966 | 16.4 | 18.8 |
| 1965 | 16.5 | 18.8 |
| 1964 | 16.7 | 18.9 |
| 1963 | 16.9 | 18.9 |
| 1962 | 17.2 | 18.9 |
| 1961 | 17.4 | 19 |
| 1960 | 17.7 | 19 |
Data sources: World Bank | Health (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).
GeoRank.org/facts/ghana/south-africa | CC BY
Interactive Maps
Use the buttons below to switch between world maps comparing statistics for Ghana and South Africa.
National statistics comparison
Finance
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| GNI, Atlas method |
$79.5B
2024 |
$391B
2024 |
| Government expenditure, % of GDP |
23.2%
2024 |
33%
2024 |
| Education expenditure, % of GDP |
2.91%
2022 |
6.02%
2024 |
| Military expenditure, % of GDP |
0.38%
2024 |
0.7%
2024 |
| Armed forces personnel |
16,000
2020 |
89,000
2020 |
| Deficit/surplus, % of GDP |
-7.31%
2024 |
-5.79%
2024 |
| Unemployment rate |
2.87%
2022 |
32.3%
2024 |
| Services, % of GDP |
40.9%
2024 |
63%
2024 |
| Industry, % of GDP |
31.5%
2024 |
24.3%
2024 |
| Economic freedom index |
57.3
2026 |
58.6
2026 |
| Income share by richest 10% |
32.2%
2016 |
50.5%
2014 |
| Income share by poorest 10% |
1.6%
2016 |
0.9%
2014 |
| Number of millionaires | n/a |
90,595
2025 |
| Percentage of millionaires | n/a |
0.22%
2025 |
| Number of billionaires | n/a |
7
2025 |
| Percentage of billionaires | n/a |
0.00002%
2025 |
| Listed domestic companies |
30
2024 |
220
2024 |
| Market capitalization of domestic companies |
$7.58B
2024 |
$986B
2024 |
| Total reserves including gold |
$3.62B
2023 |
$65.4B
2024 |
| Personal remittances received |
$3.03B
2024 |
$855M
2024 |
| International tourist arrivals |
897,000
2015 |
3,886,600
2020 |
| International tourism as share of exports |
0.87%
2020 |
2.89%
2020 |
| Banked people share |
81.2%
2024 |
81.1%
2024 |
Energy
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Energy use, kg of oil equivalent per capita |
359 kg
2022 |
1,939 kg
2023 |
| GDP PPP per kg equivalent of energy use |
$20.1
2022 |
$7.84
2023 |
| Carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions |
24.2 megatons
2024 |
440 megatons
2024 |
| CO2 emissions per capita |
0.7 tons
2024 |
6.88 tons
2024 |
| Fossil fuel energy use share |
62%
2022 |
93.3%
2022 |
| Renewable energy use share |
39%
2021 |
9.7%
2021 |
| Alternative and nuclear energy use share |
6.03%
2022 |
3.58%
2023 |
| Net energy imports use share |
-22.4%
2022 |
-12.5%
2023 |
| Electric power consumption per capita |
553 kWh
2022 |
3,247 kWh
2023 |
| Renewable electricity output share |
34.9%
2021 |
6.45%
2021 |
| Hydroelectric share |
35.4%
2022 |
2.91%
2023 |
| Nuclear share |
0%
2021 |
3.73%
2023 |
| Electricity access |
89.5%
2023 |
87.7%
2023 |
Society
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world population |
0.42%
2024 |
0.79%
2024 |
| Annual migration change |
-17,079
2025 |
+146,370
2025 |
| Urban population |
58.4%
2024 |
63.7%
2024 |
| Male:Female ratio |
49.9:50.1
2024 |
48.7:51.3
2024 |
| Average male height |
5.59 ft
2025 |
5.56 ft
2025 |
| Average female height |
5.21 ft
2025 |
5.2 ft
2025 |
| Quality of life index |
41.8
2026 |
42.1
2026 |
| Corruption Perceptions Index |
43
2025 |
41
2025 |
| Higher education index |
65
2026 |
81
2026 |
| Homicides per 100K people |
1.81
2022 |
45.5
2022 |
| Road traffic mortality per 100K people |
25.7
2019 |
22.2
2019 |
| Visa free countries |
75
2025 |
109
2025 |
| Adult literacy rate |
76.5%
2021 |
91.2%
2024 |
| English speaking |
66.7%
2023 |
31%
2023 |
| People using the Internet |
69.9%
2023 |
75.7%
2023 |
Health
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Government health expenditure per capita |
$70.3
2023 |
$537
2023 |
| Out-of-pocket health expenditure per capita |
$18.7
2023 |
$35.9
2023 |
| Life expectancy |
66.1 years
2026 |
66.7 years
2026 |
| Foreign aid share of health expenditure |
8.53%
2023 |
2.06%
2023 |
| Physicians per 1,000 people |
0.27
2023 |
0.79
2022 |
| Age at first childbirth |
22.1 years
2025 |
n/a |
| Maternal mortality per 100K births |
234
2023 |
118
2023 |
| Mortality rate before reaching 5 years of age |
37.1
2023 |
34.7
2023 |
| Obesity rate |
13.3%
2022 |
31.4%
2022 |
| Diabetes prevalence |
2.7%
2024 |
7.2%
2024 |
| Air quality index |
21
2026 |
39
2026 |
| Tobacco use prevalence |
3.4%
2022 |
20.7%
2022 |
| Pure alcohol consumption per capita |
4.26 liters
2020 |
7.13 liters
2020 |
Territory
|
Ghana
|
South Africa
|
|
|---|---|---|
| % of world land |
0.15%
2026 |
0.81%
2026 |
| Land area per capita |
2,552 sq mi
2024 |
7,318 sq mi
2024 |
| Agricultural land area |
48,663 sq mi
2026 |
371,975 sq mi
2026 |
| Forest area |
30,917 sq mi
2026 |
65,409 sq mi
2026 |
| Roads length |
68,049 mi
2009 |
466,028 mi
2016 |
In-depth comparisons
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Data sources:
- World Bank | Health (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-04-06)
- United Nations | World Population Prospects (1950–2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
- U.S. Census Bureau (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2000–2025, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
- LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)
- World Obesity Federation (2022, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Passport Index (2025, retrieved 2026-02-08)
- Transparency International (2025, retrieved 2026-02-10)
- The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
- EduRank (2026, retrieved 2025-10-13)
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