An Overview of Life Expectancy in Ghana
According to data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) indicate that life expectancy at birth in Ghana was approximately 65.5 years in 2023. GSS population projections show a clear and sustained improvement in survival over the long term, with life expectancy projected to remain around 65.4 years by 2025. This trend reflects decades of progress in public health, including expanded immunisation, improved maternal and child health services, and broader access to primary healthcare.
Historical estimates from GSS life tables and population censuses demonstrate the scale of this progress. In the early post-independence period, life expectancy in Ghana was below 50 years. Over time, reductions in infant and child mortality, better control of infectious diseases, and gradual improvements in living conditions have contributed to steady gains in longevity. However, recent projections suggest that the rate of increase has slowed, signalling the limits of past interventions and the emergence of new health pressures.
International data sources are broadly consistent with national figures. Estimates from the World Bank and the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA) place Ghana’s life expectancy at birth at about 65.5 years in 2023, with only modest short-term growth anticipated. In comparative terms, Ghana remains below the global average life expectancy of approximately 73.8 years, despite performing relatively well within the West African sub-region.
Health-adjusted indicators provide further insight into population wellbeing. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates Ghana’s Healthy Life Expectancy (HALE) at about 58 years, highlighting a substantial gap between total years lived and years lived in full health. This gap reflects the growing burden of non-communicable diseases, alongside persistent challenges such as maternal mortality, malaria, and preventable deaths in infancy and early childhood.
Ghana has made significant gains in life expectancy over several decades, reflecting the positive impact of sustained public health investments. To maintain and build on this progress, it is essential to address the growing burden of chronic diseases, strengthen the quality and equity of healthcare services, and reduce preventable deaths across all stages of life.
Sources: Ghana Statistical Service (Population Projections and Life Tables); World Bank (World Development Indicators); UN DESA (World Population Prospects); World Health Organization (Global Health Observatory).