Over 4.8 million Ghanaians living in slums—New GSS report reveals alarming urban inequality

A groundbreaking report by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that approximately 4.82 million Ghanaians, representing 30.8% of the country’s urban population, currently live in slum conditions—far exceeding the global average of 24.7%.

The findings, presented at the launch of the “Slums and Informal Settlements in Ghana” report in Accra, shed light on the widespread deprivation faced by milliaons of urban dwellers, especially in densely populated regions like Greater Accra and Ashanti.

Slums Defined by Lack of Basic Needs

According to Dr. Faustina-Frempong Ainguah, Deputy Government Statistician, slum households are typically marked by poor access to improved sanitation, clean water, durable housing, and adequate living space. Many of these homes are overcrowded, poorly ventilated, and lack secure tenure.

The Northern and Savannah Regions were flagged as having the highest levels of extreme slum intensity, while southern urban centres continue to grapple with precarious housing conditions. In Greater Accra and Ashanti, more than half of slum residents live in rented and often substandard dwellings.

Poverty, Illiteracy, and Poor Health on the Rise in Slum Areas

The report further highlights the sharp divide between slum and non-slum communities:

• Multidimensional poverty in slums stands at 23.4%, more than double the 10.5% in non-slum areas.


• One in three slum dwellers cannot read or write, and one in five has never attended school.


• Household death rates in slum areas (41.6 per 10,000 people) exceed those in non-slum areas (30.7 per 10,000).


• Access to healthcare, education, and sanitation remains severely limited.

A Call for Action: “These Are Not Just Numbers”

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, the Government Statistician, emphasized that the figures represent “real lives—families striving to survive under harsh conditions.” He called for urgent and coordinated action across all levels of government and society.

“The data is a call to action. With the right policy commitment and targeted investments, we can reverse these trends,” he said.

Dr. Iddrisu noted that the findings could be leveraged to:

• Guide government budgets and slum upgrading policies


• Inform civil society initiatives, particularly for youth and women


• Help development partners align funding and technical assistance for long-term, community-empowered solutions

Experts Weigh In: Urbanisation and Policy Gaps

Professor Stephen Owusu Kwankye, a population studies expert at the University of Ghana, said urbanisation remains a key driver of slum proliferation. He stressed the need for housing reforms, urban planning, and stronger enforcement of building standards to manage the fast-paced growth of cities.

“Urbanisation without planning is a recipe for inequality,” he warned.

A National Wake-Up Call

The report provides one of the clearest statistical pictures yet of the urban housing crisis in Ghana, and stakeholders are urging policymakers to treat it as a development emergency. With nearly a third of the urban population living in slum conditions, the need for inclusive housing, education, and social protection policies has never been more urgent.

The Ghana Statistical Service has committed to making its data accessible for stakeholders at all levels, reinforcing the importance of evidence-based decision-making to drive sustainable urban development.