The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has called on policymakers and development partners to prioritise wider National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) coverage, increased investment in sanitation and housing, and stronger job creation efforts to accelerate poverty reduction across the country. According to the latest data, health deprivation, poor living conditions and vulnerability in the labour market continue to undermine progress against poverty, especially in rural and disadvantaged regions.
Presenting the Quarterly Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) Report for the period covering the first quarter of 2024 to the third quarter of 2025, Government Statistician Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu said the overall incidence of multidimensional poverty in Ghana declined from 24.9 percent in the last quarter of 2024 to 21.9 percent equivalent to about 7.2 million people by the third quarter of 2025. While this reduction reflects some success in poverty alleviation efforts, Dr. Iddrisu underscored that the gains are uneven across different regions, with persistent disparities between urban and rural communities.
The report reveals that an estimated 360,000 people were lifted out of multidimensional poverty between the second and third quarters of 2025. However, rural poverty remains stubbornly high more than double the rate in urban areas and regions such as the North East and Savannah continue to experience some of the country’s highest rates of deprivation, with poverty incidence exceeding 50 percent in those areas.
A striking finding from the data is that health remains the single largest contributor to multidimensional poverty in Ghana, accounting for roughly 40.9 percent of total deprivation. Within that category, lack of adequate health insurance coverage and persistent nutritional challenges stand out as major drivers. The report notes that health insurance deprivation alone contributed about 26.5 percent to poverty outcomes in the third quarter of 2025 a slight decrease from 27.4 percent in the previous quarter, but still significant.
“Health-related poverty is driven largely by health insurance deprivation, contributing over 25 percent in both urban and rural areas, with slightly higher shares in rural communities,” the GSS highlighted in its analysis. This dynamic shows how gaps in access to essential health services can deepen economic hardship and limit opportunities for families to escape poverty.
To address these challenges, the GSS has recommended a series of targeted interventions, starting with expanded enrolment in the NHIS. The agency urges simplification of renewal processes, particularly for informal sector workers, rural households and vulnerable populations, who often face barriers to staying continuously covered. Strengthening outreach efforts and integrating digital solutions for registration and renewals, the report suggests, will help improve coverage continuity and reduce exposure to catastrophic health shocks. As of late 2025, the National Health Insurance Authority reported that approximately 20 million Ghanaians held active NHIS cards, yet many still remain uninsured or at risk of losing coverage.
In addition to health insurance, the report stressed the need for accelerated investment in sanitation and housing as essential components of poverty reduction. Poor sanitary conditions and inadequate housing contribute to disease, reduce productivity and impose additional economic burdens on households. The GSS argues that improved infrastructure in these areas will not only enhance public health outcomes but also boost overall quality of life, particularly in densely populated urban slums and underserved rural communities.
Another critical dimension highlighted in the MPI report is the role of employment vulnerability in perpetuating poverty. Dr. Iddrisu pointed out that even as poverty rates decline, many households remain vulnerable due to unstable incomes, limited access to decent jobs and weak social protection mechanisms. To address this, the GSS called for stronger job creation strategies, focusing on youth employment, support for small and medium-sized enterprises, and the development of sectors capable of providing stable, dignified work.
The GSS’s recommendations align with broader national and global development goals, including efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) related to health, sanitation, decent work and poverty eradication. Experts argue that policies which simultaneously strengthen social protection systems, improve living environments, and enhance economic opportunities are more likely to generate sustainable reductions in multidimensional poverty.
Ultimately, while the decline in the MPI suggests some progress, the GSS report makes clear that health deprivation, poor sanitation, inadequate housing and employment vulnerability remain significant impediments for millions of Ghanaians. Addressing these interconnected challenges will require concerted action from government, civil society, development partners and the private sector to ensure that the gains made in recent quarters are not only sustained but accelerated.