The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has released the latest Ghana Multidimensional Poverty Report, revealing that employment and living conditions are the primary contributors to multidimensional poverty in the country. The report details the extent and causes of poverty, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to address these issues.
Key Contributors to Poverty
Employment and living conditions significantly impact multidimensional poverty across most regions, contributing between 47.8 per cent to 12.7 per cent and 35.9 per cent to 15.5 per cent, respectively. Omar Seidu, Director of Social Statistics at GSS, highlighted that educational attainment of household heads is a crucial factor. “Four out of ten households where the head has no education are multidimensionally poor,” he noted.
Widespread Poverty Findings
The report identifies that 7.3 million Ghanaians, or 24.3 per cent of the household population, are multidimensionally poor, experiencing deprivation in education, health, and living standards. Of these, 43.8 per cent are in severe poverty.
Rural vs. Urban Disparities
Multidimensional poverty is prevalent in rural areas, affecting 36.7 per cent of rural residents. The severity of poverty is similar in both rural (44.0%) and urban (43.4%) areas.
Regional Disparities
The Savannah Region has the highest proportion of multidimensionally poor households at 49.5 per cent, nearly double the national average. The Ashanti Region, however, has the largest number of multidimensionally poor individuals, totaling 959,031. “The Ashanti Region tops in the actual number of multidimensionally poor persons because of its large population,” Seidu explained.
Nine regions show alarming poverty levels, with over a quarter of their populations facing multiple deprivations: Savannah (49.5%), North East (48.1%), Upper East (43.0%), Oti (40.8%), Northern (38.4%), Upper West (37.4%), Volta (27.3%), Western North (27.0%), and Western (25.7%).
Employment and Living Conditions
Employment and living conditions contribute significantly to multidimensional poverty, at 32.6 per cent and 27.9 per cent, respectively. Health insurance also plays a critical role, accounting for 21.5 per cent of poverty indicators.
Demographic Insights
Poverty incidence is higher among female-headed households (27.0%) compared to male-headed households (23.0%). Younger household heads under 25 years and older heads over 60 years are more susceptible to poverty.
Educational Disparities
Educational attainment greatly influences poverty levels. “Four in ten multidimensionally poor persons have never attended school,” the report indicates. Households headed by individuals with only basic education have a poverty incidence of 20.0 per cent, which is 12.9 percentage points higher than those with tertiary education (7.1%).
Sectoral Impact
Households headed by individuals working in agriculture face the highest poverty rates (34.3%), compared to those in the services sector, who are over 5.5 times better off, and those in the industry sector, who are 3.8 times better off.
Conclusion
The findings underscore the urgent need for targeted interventions to address the root causes of multidimensional poverty. Enhancing educational opportunities, improving living conditions, and creating sustainable employment are essential for alleviating poverty and fostering equitable development in Ghana.
