Ghana · Africa
How many people die in Ghana every day?
In Ghana, about 575 people die every day, roughly one death every 3 minutes. That is about 210,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of everyone who dies worldwide and the 44th highest total of 194 countries. Life expectancy is 64.1 years and the leading cause of death is malaria. See every death on earth as it happens on the live death counter.
Deaths per day
575
Deaths per year
210,000
Life expectancy
64.1 years
Population
33,475,870
Death rate
6.3 per 1,000
Top cause of death
Malaria
Compared to the World Average
Life expectancy
Ghana
64.1
World avg
72.8
-8.7 yrs
Death rate (per 1,000)
Ghana
6.3
World avg
7.7
Deaths in Ghana by time period
| Per hour | 24 |
| Per day | 575 |
| Per week | 4,027 |
| Per month | 17,500 |
| Per year | 210,000 |
What people die of in Ghana
According to the World Health Organization’s Global Health Estimates, the single biggest cause of death in Ghana in 2023 was stroke, which accounted for 11.1% of all deaths, about 64 a day. It was followed by pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections and heart disease (ischaemic).
Deaths from diabetes have increased about 3-fold since 2000, from about 2,305 to 6,998 a year. Deaths from diarrhoeal diseases have fallen by 46% since 2000, from about 10,920 to 5,949 a year.
| # | Cause | Deaths (2023) | Per day | Share | Since 2000 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Stroke | 23,184 | 64 | 11.1% | +89% |
| 2 | Pneumonia and other lower respiratory infections | 17,931 | 49 | 8.6% | +2% |
| 3 | Heart disease (ischaemic) | 14,171 | 39 | 6.8% | +57% |
| 4 | HIV/AIDS | 12,569 | 34 | 6% | -39% |
| 5 | Road injuries | 12,351 | 34 | 5.9% | +169% |
| 6 | Malaria | 11,464 | 31 | 5.5% | -42% |
| 7 | Tuberculosis | 9,934 | 27 | 4.7% | +9% |
| 8 | Diabetes | 6,998 | 19 | 3.3% | +204% |
| 9 | Kidney diseases | 6,798 | 19 | 3.2% | +192% |
| 10 | Diarrhoeal diseases | 5,949 | 16 | 2.8% | -46% |
Deaths in Ghana since 2000
WHO estimates that about 209,622 people died in Ghana in 2023, 16% more than in 2000. Totals rise as populations grow and age, even when health improves. WHO’s modelled estimates can differ from the headline figures above, which come from a different source.
| 2000 | 180,579 deaths |
| 2010 | 201,044 deaths |
| 2019 | 204,529 deaths |
| 2023 | 209,622 deaths |
Life expectancy in Ghana since 1950
A baby born in Ghana in 1950 could expect to live about 43.1 years. By 2023 that had risen to 65.5, a gain of 22.4 years. See how this compares worldwide on our life expectancy by country page.
| 1950 | 43.1 years |
| 1980 | 51.1 years |
| 2000 | 58.1 years |
| 2010 | 61.3 years |
| 2019 | 64.5 years |
| 2023 | 65.5 years |
Ghana compared with similar countries in Africa
Among the 50 countries in Africa on this site, Ghana ranks 17th for life expectancy. Here is how it compares with the countries closest to it in population.
| Country | Deaths per day | Life expectancy | Top cause |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ghana | 575 | 64.1 | Malaria |
| Mozambique | 767 | 59.3 | HIV/AIDS |
| Angola | 767 | 61.6 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Madagascar | 521 | 64.5 | Lower respiratory infections |
| Morocco | 548 | 74 | Cardiovascular disease |
| Côte d'Ivoire | 575 | 58.7 | Malaria |
Sources: WHO Global Health Estimates 2023 (deaths by cause and totals); UN World Population Prospects via Our World in Data (life expectancy). Figures are modelled estimates and are rounded.
Frequently asked questions
How many people die in Ghana every day?
In Ghana, about 575 people die every day, or roughly one death every 3 minutes. That adds up to about 210,000 deaths a year, 0.3% of all deaths worldwide.
What is the leading cause of death in Ghana?
Malaria is the leading cause of death in Ghana. It is one of the leading preventable causes of death worldwide, and most deaths from it could be avoided with prevention and treatment. Counting single causes, WHO's estimates put stroke first in 2023, with 11.1% of deaths.
What is the life expectancy in Ghana?
Life expectancy at birth in Ghana is 64.1 years, 8.7 years below the world average of 72.8. That ranks 156th of 194 countries.
Is the death rate in Ghana high?
Ghana records about 6.3 deaths per 1,000 people each year, below the world average of 7.7. Crude death rates are higher in countries with older populations, so a high rate does not always mean poor health care.