Ghana (Republic of Ghana)

Ghana Republic of Ghana
Status	Independent State
Social and Moral Index	114th best
Capital	Accra
Land Area	227 540km21
Location	Africa
Population	29.8m2
Life Expectancy	63.80yrs (2017)3
GNI	$5 745 (2017)4
ISO3166-1 Codes	GH, GHA, 2885
Internet Domain	.gh6
Currency	Cedi (GHC)7
Telephone	+2338

1. Overview
2. Ghana National and Social Development
3. Ghana's Demographics and Migration
4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance
5. Ghana's Health
   1. Health Datasets
   2. Children's Health Datasets
6. Ghana's Responsibility Towards The Environment
7. Ghana's Modernity and Learning
   1. Modernity Datasets
   2. Education Datasets
   3. Technology and Information Datasets
8. Ghana's Culture, Peace and Inequality
   1. National Culture Datasets
   2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets
   3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets
9. Religion and Beliefs
10. Links

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1. Overview

#ghana #UK

“Formed from the merger of the British colony of the Gold Coast and the Togoland trust territory, Ghana in 1957 became the first sub-Saharan country in colonial Africa to gain its independence. Ghana endured a long series of coups before Lt. Jerry RAWLINGS took power in 1981 and banned political parties. After approving a new constitution and restoring multiparty politics in 1992, RAWLINGS won presidential elections in 1992 and 1996 but was constitutionally prevented from running for a third term in 2000. John KUFUOR succeeded him and was reelected in 2004. John Atta MILLS took over as head of state in early 2009, but he died in July 2012 and was succeeded by his vice president John Dramani MAHAMA, who subsequently won a December 2012 special presidential election.”

CIA's The World Factbook (2013)₉

“Hailed as West Africa´s golden child, Ghana, a historic land boasting a depth of culture and diverse natural attractions, deserves its place in the sun. One of Africa´s great success stories, Ghana is reaping the benefits of a stable democracy in the form of fast-paced development. And it shows: Ghana is suffused with the most incredible energy.

Ghana has the signature African attractions of beautiful beaches and herds of elephants in its fine national parks, plus drawcards like hiking, partying and cultural tours. With its welcoming beaches, gorgeous hinterland, rich culture, vibrant cities, diverse wildlife, easy transport and affable inhabitants, it´s no wonder Ghana is sometimes labelled "Africa for beginners".

But this is only half the story. No trip can be complete without a visit to Ghana's coastal slave forts, poignant reminders of a page of history that defined our modern world.

Travel north and you´ll feel like you´ve arrived in a different country, with a different religion, geography and cultural practices. The beauty is that this diversity exists so harmoniously, a joy to experience and a wonder to behold in uncertain times.”

"The World" by Lonely Planet (2014)₁₀

2. Ghana National and Social Development

#economics #human_development #wealth

UN HDI (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better Value11
1	Switzerland	0.962
2	Norway	0.961
3	Iceland	0.959
	...
130	Tuvalu	0.641
131	Marshall Islands	0.639
132	India	0.633
133	Ghana	0.632
134	Micronesia	0.628
135	Guatemala	0.627
136	Kiribati	0.624
137	Honduras	0.621
	Africa Avg	0.56
	World Avg	0.72
q=191.

Gross National Income Per-Capita (2021)11
Pos.		Higher is better PPP $11
1	Liechtenstein	$146 830
2	Singapore	$90 919
3	Qatar	$87 134
	...
129	Tuvalu	$6 351
130	Belize	$6 309
131	Cape Verde	$6 230
132	Ghana	$5 745
133	Nicaragua	$5 625
134	Bangladesh	$5 472
135	Angola	$5 466
136	Samoa	$5 308
	Africa Avg	$5 339
	World Avg	$20 136
q=193.

Social & Moral Development Index12
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank12
1	Denmark	26.9
2	Norway	29.1
3	Sweden	29.9
	...
111	Honduras	93.9
112	Nicaragua	94.4
113	Maldives	94.5
114	Ghana	95.2
115	Palau	95.3
116	Botswana	95.4
117	Venezuela	95.7
118	Tonga	96.1
	Africa Avg	119.0
	World Avg	89.0
q=200.

The United Nations produces an annual Human Development Report which includes the Human Development Index. The factors taken into account include life expectancy, education and schooling and Gross National Income (GNI) amongst many others..

The Social and Moral Development Index concentrates on moral issues and human rights, violence, public health, equality, tolerance, freedom and effectiveness in climate change mitigation and environmentalism, and on some technological issues. A country scores higher for achieving well in those areas, and for sustaining that achievement in the long term. Those countries towards the top of this index can truly said to be setting good examples and leading humankind onwards into a bright, humane, and free future. See: Which are the Best Countries in the World? The Social and Moral Development Index.

3. Ghana's Demographics and Migration

#birth_control #demographics #fertility #health #immigration #life_expectancy #longevity #migration #overpopulation #population #yemen

Population Datasets:

Ghana's population is predicted to rise to 36.54 million by 2030. These millions of extra people will all need space to live, food to eat, energy to consume, and will increase the burden on the planet's resources. This country has a fertility rate of 3.51. The fertility rate is, in simple terms, the average amount of children that each woman has. The higher the figure, the quicker the population will grow, although, to calculate the rate you also need to take into account morbidity - the rate at which people die. If people live healthy and long lives and morbidity is low, then, 2.0 approximates to the replacement rate (two new children for each set of parents who die), which would keep the population stable. If all countries had such a fertility rate, population growth would end. The actual replacement rate in most developed countries is around 2.1, once you take mortality into account₁₃. The highest fertility rate ever detected in a single year was in Yemen in 1985, at 8.86.₁₄

Population2
Pos.		2018 Population2
1	China	1.4b
2	India	1.4b
3	USA	327.1m
	...
43	Peru	32.0m
44	Malaysia	31.5m
45	Angola	30.8m
46	Ghana	29.8m
47	Mozambique	29.5m
48	Venezuela	28.9m
49	Yemen	28.5m
50	Nepal	28.1m
	World Avg	39.0m
q=195.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
152	Tuvalu	64.5
153	Madagascar	64.5
154	Mauritania	64.4
155	Ghana	63.8
156	Yemen	63.8
157	Bolivia	63.6
158	Nauru	63.6
159	Congo, (Brazzaville)	63.5
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
164	Iraq	3.45
165	Gabon	3.46
166	Nauru	3.46
167	Ghana	3.51
168	Vanuatu	3.70
169	Yemen	3.72
170	Rwanda	3.75
171	Sao Tome & Principe	3.75
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Old-Age Dependency Ratio Lower is better16
Pos.		2016 Per 10016
1	Uganda	04.3
2	Mali	04.5
3=	Chad	04.7
	...
35=	Mozambique	06.4
35=	Madagascar	06.4
35=	Papua New Guinea	06.4
38=	Ghana	06.5
38=	Palestine	06.5
40=	Ethiopia	06.6
40=	Swaziland	06.6
42=	Central African Rep.	06.8
	World Avg	18.3
q=185.

• The Population of the Earth
• Abortion, Birth Control and Contraception

Migration Datasets:

Immigrants17
Pos.		2017 %17
1	UAE	88.4%
2	Kuwait	75.5%
3	Qatar	65.2%
	...
139	Senegal	1.7%
140	Comoros	1.5%
141	Fiji	1.5%
142	Ghana	1.4%
143	Niger	1.4%
144	Yemen	1.4%
145	Bolivia	1.3%
146	Tuvalu	1.3%
	World Avg	9.4%
q=195.

Emigrants18
Pos.		2010 %18
1	Dominica	104.8%
2	Palestine	68.4%
3	Samoa	67.3%
	...
134	Canada	3.5%
135	Algeria	3.4%
136	Sweden	3.4%
137	Ghana	3.4%
138	Nepal	3.3%
139	Bangladesh	3.3%
140	Botswana	3.2%
141	Spain	3.0%
	World Avg	11.5%
q=192.

4. Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance

#antisemitism #christianity #equality #freedom #gender_equality #Ghana #ghana_antisemitism #human_rights #morals #politics #prejudice #tolerance

Human Rights, Equality & Tolerance (2025)19
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank19
1	Sweden	7.8
2	Netherlands	8.7
3	Denmark	8.8
	...
87	Albania	86.0
88	Belize	86.3
89	Bosnia & Herzegovina	88.0
90	Ghana	88.7
91	Nauru	89.3
92	Fiji	89.5
	Africa Avg	110.04
	World Avg	89.80
q=199.

Ghana does relatively well in ensuring human rights and freedom, compared to many other countries. Ghana comes in the best 20 for its success in fighting anti-semitic prejudice₂₀ (amongst the lowest in Africa). It does better than average in combatting modern slavery₂₁, supporting press freedom₂₂, its average Freedom in the World rating (one of the lowest in Africa), supporting personal, civil & economic freedoms₂₃ (one of the best in Africa) and in its nominal commitment to Human Rights₂₄. Ghana does not succeed in everything, however. Ghana does worse than average when it comes to freethought₂₅, opposing gender inequality₂₆ (still good for Africa) and in LGBT equality in the 2020s₂₇. And finally, it falls into the worst 20 when it comes to the rate of gender bias (from 7 indicators)₂₈. Homosexuality is illegal, and even in 2021, new and harsher legal measures were going through government, including imprisonment of ten years for promoting LGBT tolerance₂₉, coming after a push by a coalition of conservative Christian and Islamic organisations.

For tables, charts and commentary, see:

• Human Rights and Freedom in Ghana

5. Ghana's Health

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #ethiopia #ghana #health #life_expectancy #longevity #nigeria #obesity #overpopulation #parenting #population #smoking #vaccines

Compared to Africa (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Mauritius	71.1
2	Tunisia	75.3
3	Seychelles	77.4
	...
9	Sao Tome & Principe	111.4
10	Egypt	116.2
11	Rwanda	117.7
12	Ghana	119.3
13	Eritrea	120.2
14	Kenya	121.3
15	S. Africa	122.3
16	Gambia	122.7
17	Zimbabwe	125.0
	Africa Avg	111.13
q=54.

Health (2025)30
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank30
1	Monaco	10.3
2	Liechtenstein	30.1
3	Japan	37.3
	...
143	Guatemala	116.8
144	Rwanda	117.7
145	Tuvalu	118.6
146	Ghana	119.3
147	Eritrea	120.2
148	Kenya	121.3
149	S. Africa	122.3
150	Vanuatu	122.4
	World Avg	97.57
q=207.

The countries with the best overall approach to public health, in terms of both public policy and individual lifestyle choices, are Monaco, Liechtenstein and Japan₃₁. These countries are worth emulating. And, although often through no fault of the average citizen, the worst countries are Angola, Somalia and S. Sudan₃₁.

42 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on its average life expectancy, its alcohol consumption rate, its fertility rate, its smoking rate, its suicide rate, its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance, the prevalence of overweight adults, obesity rate, its adolescent birth rate, delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations, delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015 and childhood mortality. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Europe and The Mediterranean₃₁, whereas the worst are Africa, Micronesia and Melanesia₃₁.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Healthiest Cultures and Health Policies" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

5.1. Health Datasets

#alcohol #birth_control #demographics #ethiopia #ghana #health #life_expectancy #longevity #nigeria #obesity #overpopulation #smoking

Ghana has some poor policies and cultural issues which cause some public health problems. Ghana does the second-best when it comes to its smoking rate₃₂. It does better than average when it comes to delivery rate of infant DTP immunizations in the 2020s₃₃, the prevalence of overweight adults₃₄ (but high for Africa) and in its alcohol consumption rate₃₅. But, there's bad news too. Ghana does worse than average when it comes to delivery rate of 7x Infant Immunizations 2011-2015₃₆ (still high for Africa), its food aid and health contributions and WHO compliance₃₇, its adolescent birth rate₃₈ (still low for Africa), childhood mortality in the 2020s₃₉, its average life expectancy₁₁ (still high for Africa) and in its fertility rate₁₅ (still low for Africa). The prevalence of overweight adults has increased by 14% over the last 40 years. Life expectancy in Ghana improved by +9.1yrs in the 30 years from 1990, better than the global average of +7.9yrs. Ghana's peak fertility rate was 6.98 in 1963.

Life Expectancy Higher is better11
Pos.		2021 Years11
1	Monaco	85.9
2	Hong Kong	85.5
3	Japan	84.8
	...
152	Tuvalu	64.5
153	Madagascar	64.5
154	Mauritania	64.4
155	Ghana	63.8
156	Yemen	63.8
157	Bolivia	63.6
158	Nauru	63.6
159	Congo, (Brazzaville)	63.5
	Africa Avg	62.79
	World Avg	71.28
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Alcohol Consumption Lower is better35
Pos.		2016 Per Capita35
1	Bangladesh	0.0
2	Kuwait	0.0
3	Libya	0.0
	...
50=	Guatemala	2.5
51	Congo, DR	2.6
52=	Uzbekistan	2.7
52=	Ghana	2.7
52=	Maldives	2.7
55	Ethiopia	2.9
56=	Fiji	3.0
56=	Benin	3.0
	Africa Avg	4.8
	World Avg	6.2
q=189.

Fertility Rate 2.0 is best15
Pos.		202215
1	US Virgin Islands	2.00
2	Ecuador	2.00
3	Nepal	2.01
	...
164	Iraq	3.45
165	Gabon	3.46
166	Nauru	3.46
167	Ghana	3.51
168	Vanuatu	3.70
169	Yemen	3.72
170	Rwanda	3.75
171	Sao Tome & Principe	3.75
	Africa Avg	3.97
	World Avg	2.47
q=208. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

Smoking in the 2020s Lower is better32
Pos.		Total %32
1	Nigeria	3.3%
2	Ghana	3.4%
3	Panama	5.2%
4	Ethiopia	5.2%
5	Turkmenistan	5.6%
6	Benin	6.3%
7	Togo	6.4%
8=	Cameroon	6.5%
8=	Senegal	6.5%
10	Barbados	7.0%
11	Peru	7.2%
12	Chad	7.4%
	Africa Avg	12.4%
	World Avg	20.0%
q=165. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Ghana had the 2^nd-lowest smoking rate in the world on average in the 2000s (after Ethiopia), the lowest rate in the world in the 2010s before being beaten by Nigeria on average in the 2020s (so far).

Food Aid, Health Contributions & WHO Compliance Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Sweden	1
2	Ireland	2
3	Denmark	3
	...
136	Madagascar	136
137	Congo, (Brazzaville)	137
138	Albania	138
139	Ghana	139
140	Chad	140
141	Rwanda	141
142	Mali	142
143	Niger	143
	Africa Avg	117.0
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Overweight Adults Lower is better34
Pos.		1976 %34
1	Bangladesh	4.7
2	Vietnam	5.1
3	Nepal	5.4
	...
47	Senegal	11.1
48=	Cameroon	11.2
48=	Liberia	11.2
50	Ghana	11.4
51=	Ivory Coast	11.5
51=	Sudan	11.5
53	Sao Tome & Principe	11.7
54	Congo, (Brazzaville)	11.8
	Africa Avg	13.4
	World Avg	27.1
q=191.

Adult Obesity Lower is better40
Pos.		2022 %40
1	Vietnam	2.1%
2	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	2.2%
3	Ethiopia	2.4%
	...
46	Indonesia	11.5%
47	Yemen	11.6%
48	Bhutan	12.0%
49	Ghana	12.1%
50	Zimbabwe	12.4%
51	Somalia	12.7%
52	Gambia	13.2%
53	Cameroon	13.4%
	Africa Avg	13.7%
	World Avg	24.7%
q=199. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

5.2. Children's Health Datasets

#children's_health #health #parenting #population #vaccines

Adolescent Birth Rate Lower is better38
Pos.		2022 Per 100038
1	Hong Kong	1.6
2	Denmark	1.8
3	S. Korea	2.1
	...
146	Vanuatu	63.2
147	Dominican Rep.	63.2
148	Nepal	63.4
149	Ghana	63.4
150	Eritrea	63.6
151	Senegal	64.6
152	Guyana	64.6
153	Ethiopia	66.5
	Africa Avg	84.6
	World Avg	43.8
q=195. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Infant DTP Immunizations (2020s) Higher is better33
Pos.		Total Avg %33
1=	Luxembourg	99.0
1=	Oman	99.0
1=	Niue	99.0
	...
44=	Tajikistan	97.3
45	Denmark	97.2
46=	Fiji	97.1
46=	Ghana	97.1
46=	St Kitts & Nevis	97.1
49=	Russia	97.0
49=	Tunisia	97.0
51=	Kazakhstan	96.9
	Africa Avg	82.9
	World Avg	88.5
q=211. Also scored for 1980s-2020s.

7x Infant Immunizations (2011-2015) Higher is better36
Pos.		2015 Avg %36
1=	Hungary	99.0
1=	China	99.0
3	Uzbekistan	98.9
	...
107	Azerbaijan	92.2
108=	Australia	92.1
108=	Barbados	92.1
110=	Ghana	91.7
110=	Lesotho	91.7
112	Malawi	91.7
113	Mexico	91.6
114	Moldova	91.5
	Africa Avg	81.7
	World Avg	88.3
q=194.

Infant Mortality (2020s) Lower is better39
Pos.		Total Per 100039
1	San Marino	2.11
2	Finland	2.59
3	Luxembourg	2.60
	...
152	Namibia	52.36
153	Myanmar	52.96
154	Senegal	53.83
155	Ghana	54.29
156	Congo, (Brazzaville)	54.48
157	Laos	55.34
158	Tanzania	56.34
159	Uganda	58.61
	Africa Avg	71.63
	World Avg	32.19
q=195. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

6. Ghana's Responsibility Towards The Environment

#biodiversity #climate_change #deforestation #energy #environmentalism #food #ghana #internationalism #meat #over-exploitation #sustainability #the_environment #veganism #vegetarianism

Compared to Africa (2025)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Morocco	46.5
2	Burundi	47.8
3	Mali	51.0
	...
7	Uganda	57.8
8	Kenya	57.9
9	Mauritius	58.1
10	Ghana	58.6
11	Tunisia	60.1
12	Niger	61.3
13	Tanzania	61.6
14	Ethiopia	61.7
15	Cameroon	62.6
	Africa Avg	80.07
q=53.

Responsibility Towards The Environment (2025)41
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank41
1	Sri Lanka	34.9
2	Uruguay	43.2
3	Switzerland	45.0
	...
22	Portugal	58.0
23	Mauritius	58.1
24	Germany	58.2
25	Ghana	58.6
26	Thailand	59.5
27	Spain	59.5
28	Austria	59.6
29	Tunisia	60.1
	World Avg	84.93
q=199.

We have known for a long term that we must protect the environment from habitation destruction, over-exploitation, pollution, and the emissions that cause climate change. In 1998, Greenpeace wrote that "Environment can no longer be meaningfully separated from health, quality of life, democracy, education, economy or trade"₄₂. What countries have been doing the right thing, via legislation and national culture? All countries' current and historical approach towards the environment is gauged via 21 datasets, including multiple decades of data on its forested percent change 2000-2020, its environmental performance, energy to GDP efficiency, its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population, reducing annual meat consumption per person and its score on the Green Future Index.

The countries that do the best (Sri Lanka, Uruguay and Switzerland) tend to have avoided the excesses of early industrial countries, and have not yet repeated the same mistakes of environmental destruction - at least, not on the same scale. The regions with the best average results per country are Central America, South America and Scandinavia. The worst are Eritrea, The Vatican City and Timor-Leste (E. Timor), and the worst regions Micronesia, Australasia and Melanesia.

For more, see:

• "Countries With the Best Environmental Records" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

Ghana is positioned 25th in the world in terms of its responsibility towards the environment. This rank is computed from 21 data sets. Ghana does better than average in its sign-up rate to major international accords on protecting the environment, reducing annual meat consumption per person₄₃, energy to GDP efficiency₄₄ and in the rate of rational beliefs on the environment in the population₄₅. But, there's bad news too. Ghana does worse than average in its environmental performance₄₆ (still good for Africa) and in its forested percent change 2000-2020₄₇. And finally, it sits amongst the bottom 20 when it comes to its score on the Green Future Index₄₈ (amongst the worst in Africa).

Environmental Performance Higher is better46
Pos.		201846
1	Switzerland	87.4
2	France	84.0
3	Denmark	81.6
	...
121	Thailand	49.9
122	Micronesia	49.8
123	Libya	49.8
124	Ghana	49.7
125	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	49.5
126	Senegal	49.5
127	Malawi	49.2
128	Guyana	47.9
	Africa Avg	46.4
	World Avg	56.4
q=180.

Energy to GDP Efficiency Lower is better44
Pos.		2022 Avg44
1	Rwanda	0.25
2	Chad	0.26
3	Tanzania	0.31
	...
48	Comoros	0.81
49	Costa Rica	0.81
50	Latvia	0.81
51	Ghana	0.83
52	Colombia	0.83
53	Lithuania	0.83
54	Italy	0.84
55	Mali	0.86
	Africa Avg	0.83
	World Avg	1.23
q=165. Also scored for 1960s-2010s.

International Accords on the Environment Higher is better
Pos.		Total Avg Rate
1	Sweden	83%
2	Canada	82%
3	Norway	81%
	...
38	Uzbekistan	69%
39	India	69%
40	Paraguay	69%
41	Ghana	68%
42	Luxembourg	68%
43	Netherlands	68%
44	Kenya	68%
45	Senegal	67%
	Africa Avg	56.4%
	World Avg	57.5%
q=197. Also scored for 1970s-2020s.

Rational Beliefs on the Environment Higher is better45
Pos.		2011 %45
1	Argentina	78.3%
2	Greece	77.6%
3	Brazil	77.1%
	...
64	India	41.2%
65	Canada	41.2%
66	Serbia	41.1%
67	Ghana	40.4%
68	Moldova	40.4%
69	Cameroon	39.0%
70	Uganda	38.6%
71	Sierra Leone	38.6%
	Africa Avg	38.3%
	World Avg	39.9%
q=145.

Meat Consumption Lower is better43
Pos.		2021 kg43
1	Congo, DR	03.0
2	Burundi	03.5
3	Bangladesh	04.3
	...
42=	Angola	20.0
43	S. Sudan	20.2
44	Liberia	20.3
45	Ghana	20.9
46	Haiti	21.6
47	Lesotho	21.7
48	Thailand	26.0
49	Swaziland	27.1
	Africa Avg	24.9
	World Avg	52.5
q=185. Also scored for 2010s.

Green Future Index Higher is better48
Pos.		2023 Score48
1	Iceland	6.7
2	Finland	6.7
3	Norway	6.4
	...
62	Peru	4.0
63	Turkey	3.8
64	Cameroon	3.8
65	Ghana	3.8
66	Uganda	3.7
67	Pakistan	3.7
68	Malaysia	3.7
69=	Guatemala	3.6
	Africa Avg	4.0
	World Avg	4.8
q=76.

7. Ghana's Modernity and Learning

#education #intelligence #metric #modernity #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation #technology #the_internet

Compared to Africa (2025)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	S. Africa	58.2
2	Tunisia	63.4
3	Seychelles	64.9
	...
11	Kenya	97.0
12	Djibouti	102.5
13	Botswana	104.9
14	Ghana	105.6
15	Nigeria	106.3
16	Uganda	107.1
17	Cameroon	107.9
18	Togo	112.9
19	Zimbabwe	114.4
	Africa Avg	119.28
q=54.

Modernity & Learning (2025)49
Pos.		Lower is better Avg Rank49
1	Vatican City	1.0
2	Finland	4.8
3	Belgium	8.5
	...
128	Djibouti	102.5
129	Jamaica	103.3
130	Botswana	104.9
131	Ghana	105.6
132	Nigeria	106.3
133	Uganda	107.1
134	Cameroon	107.9
135	Maldives	109.6
	World Avg	80.33
q=194.

The most modern countries, with the best results from education, the highest levels of research, and with the easiest access to information on the Internet, are The Vatican City, Finland and Belgium₅₀. The worst countries are S. Sudan, Eritrea and Somalia₅₀. Despite improves in global education, access to tertiary (adult) education is becoming increasingly unequal between the rich haves and the poor have-nots₅₁.

“Education, at all levels and ages, is the single most vital support for equality as well as being a country's most vital economic and social resource. [...] Every successful aspirant to modernisation and economic development, from Japan to South Korea, China to Chile, has got there with a big emphasis on education.”

Bill Emmott (2017)₅₂

23 datasets are used to calculate points for each country, including multiple decades of data on Research and Development, Intellectual Endeavours, metric system adoption rate, Religiosity, IQ, Secondary Education, Length of Schooling, Maths, Science & Reading, the percent of citizens with access to the internet, Freedom On The Internet, IT Security, IPv6 Uptake and digital quality of life. The regions with the best average results per country are Scandinavia, Baltic States and Europe₅₀, whereas the worst are Melanesia, Africa and Micronesia₅₀.

For more, see:

• " Which Countries are Most Modern, With the Best Education and Internet Access?" by Vexen Crabtree (2025).

7.1. Modernity Datasets

#intelligence #metric #religion #religiosity #research #science #secularisation

Research & Development Higher is better
Pos.		2016 % RDP PPP
1	S. Korea	4.2953
2	Israel	4.1153
3	Japan	3.5853
	...
71=	Romania	0.3853
71=	Montenegro	0.3854
71=	Chile	0.3853
71=	Ghana	0.3855
75	Moldova	0.3554
76	Ecuador	0.3456
77	Bosnia & Herzegovina	0.3354
78	Iran	0.3155
	Africa Avg	0.36
	World Avg	0.84
q=126.

Intellectual Endeavours Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ukraine	1
2	Czechia	2
3	Hungary	3
	...
60	Egypt	60
61	Japan	61
62	Malta	62
63	Ghana	63
64	Samoa	64
65	Jordan	65
66	Namibia	66
67	India	67
	Africa Avg	106.4
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Metric System Adoption Rate Higher is better57
Pos.		2025 %57
1=	Slovakia	100
1=	Poland	100
1=	Portugal	100
	...
119=	Kuwait	90
119=	Indonesia	90
119=	Jordan	90
119=	Ghana	90
119=	Kenya	90
119=	Equatorial Guinea	90
119=	St Vincent & Grenadines	90
119=	Ivory Coast	90
	Africa Avg	90
	World Avg	92
q=187. Also scored for 1960s-2020s.

Officially adopted metric in 1972. Progression:

• 1960 (60%): British legacy with growing metric; mixed everyday use.
• 1970 (75%): Metrication via standards acts; commerce/education shift.
• 1980 (85%): Metric dominant officially; informal legacy persists.
• 2000 (90%).
• 2025 (90%).

Religiosity Lower is better58
Pos.		2018 %58
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
86=	Nigeria	88
86=	Nicaragua	88
88=	Djibouti	89
88=	Ghana	89
88=	Guatemala	89
91=	Honduras	90
91=	Cameroon	90
91=	Rwanda	90
	Africa Avg	87.0
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

IQ Higher is better59
Pos.		200659
1=	Hong Kong	108
1=	Singapore	108
3	S. Korea	106
	...
108=	S. Africa	72
109=	Zambia	71
109=	Jamaica	71
109=	Ghana	71
112=	Namibia	70
112=	Togo	70
112=	Botswana	70
112=	Rwanda	70
	Africa Avg	70.6
	World Avg	85.6
q=138.

7.2. Education Datasets

#education

Secondary Education Higher is better60
Pos.		201860
1=	Luxembourg	100.0%
1=	Estonia	100.0%
1=	Austria	100.0%
	...
86	Argentina	64.8%
87	Greece	64.8%
88	Guyana	63.3%
89	Ghana	63.1%
90	Peru	62.2%
91	Palestine	61.1%
92	Suriname	60.5%
93	Mexico	59.7%
	Africa Avg	34.4%
	World Avg	63.0%
q=169.

Length of Schooling Higher is better61
Pos.		2021 Years61
1	Australia	21.1
2	New Zealand	20.3
3	Greece	20.0
	...
134	Angola	12.2
135	Zimbabwe	12.1
136	Iraq	12.1
137	Ghana	12.0
138	Lesotho	12.0
139	Namibia	11.9
140	Comoros	11.9
141	India	11.9
	Africa Avg	11.0
	World Avg	13.5
q=193. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

7.3. Technology and Information Datasets

#modernity #technology #the_internet

Internet Users Higher is better62
Pos.		201662
1	Iceland	100%
2	Faroe Islands	99%
3	Norway	98%
	...
133	Syria	30%
134	Sri Lanka	29%
135	Samoa	29%
136	Ghana	28%
137	Swaziland	28%
138	Guatemala	27%
139	Sudan	26%
140	Sao Tome & Principe	26%
	Africa Avg	18.4%
	World Avg	48.1%
q=201.

IPv6 Uptake Higher is better63
Pos.		2017 Ratio63
1	Belgium	55.4
2	Germany	41.8
3	Switzerland	35.1
	...
100=	Nigeria	0.0
100=	Uzbekistan	0.0
100=	Colombia	0.0
100=	Ghana	0.0
100=	Yemen	0.0
100=	Laos	0.0
100=	Malta	0.0
100=	Turkmenistan	0.0
	Africa Avg	0.04
	World Avg	3.82
q=176.

Digital Quality of Life Higher is better64
Pos.		202464
1	Germany	77.9%
2	Finland	76.9%
3	France	73.9%
	...
85	Jamaica	38.9%
86	Bosnia & Herzegovina	38.8%
87	Trinidad & Tobago	38.1%
88	Ghana	37.9%
89	Kenya	37.4%
90	Sri Lanka	36.3%
91	Angola	34.9%
92	Mongolia	34.6%
	Africa Avg	32.3%
	World Avg	48.4%
q=121.

8. Ghana's Culture, Peace and Inequality

#capitalism #charity #corruption #economics #extremism #happiness #health #human_development #inequality #internationalism #life_expectancy #morals #peace #politics #poverty #religious_violence #social_development #terrorism

8.1. National Culture Datasets

#charity #corruption #happiness #internationalism #morals #politics

World Giving Index Higher is better65
Pos.		2022 %65
1	Indonesia	68.0
2	Kenya	61.0
3	USA	59.0
	...
47=	Iran	43.0
47=	Kosovo	43.0
47=	Bolivia	43.0
47=	Ghana	43.0
51=	Sweden	42.0
51=	Colombia	42.0
51=	China	42.0
51=	Ecuador	42.0
	Africa Avg	38.2
	World Avg	39.6
q=125. Also scored for 2010s.

Corruption Higher is better66
Pos.		2022 Points66
1	Denmark	90.0
2=	Finland	87.0
2=	New Zealand	87.0
	...
73=	S. Africa	43.0
73=	Bulgaria	43.0
73=	Benin	43.0
73=	Ghana	43.0
77=	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	42.0
77=	Vietnam	42.0
77=	Trinidad & Tobago	42.0
77=	Burkina Faso	42.0
	Africa Avg	32.31
	World Avg	42.98
q=180. Also scored for 1990s-2010s.

Happiness Higher is better67
Pos.		2024 Score67
1	Finland	7.7
2	Denmark	7.5
3	Iceland	7.5
	...
122	Somalia	4.3
123	Mali	4.3
124	Cambodia	4.3
125	Ghana	4.3
126	Myanmar	4.3
127	Togo	4.3
128	Jordan	4.3
129	Liberia	4.3
	Africa Avg	4.42
	World Avg	5.58
q=147. Also scored for 2010s.

Creativity & Culture Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Belgium	1
2	Netherlands	2
3	Estonia	3
	...
101	Russia	101
102	Vietnam	102
103	Armenia	103
104	Ghana	104
105	Bahrain	105
106	Ecuador	106
107	Uganda	107
108	Lesotho	108
	Africa Avg	117.8
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Passport Reach (2020s) Higher is better68
Pos.		Total Q68
1	Singapore	192.2
2	Japan	192.0
3	S. Korea	190.7
	...
129	Morocco	66.5
130	Philippines	66.3
131	Armenia	65.7
132	Ghana	65.3
133	Zimbabwe	65.2
134	Sierra Leone	64.2
135=	Kyrgyzstan	63.3
135=	Cuba	63.3
	Africa Avg	62.9
	World Avg	108.8
q=195. Also scored for 2000s-2020s.

Open Trading, Aid & Development Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Ireland	1
2	Denmark	2
3	Sweden	3
	...
104	Dominica	104
105	Iceland	105
106	Bolivia	106
107	Ghana	107
108	Mexico	108
109	Thailand	109
110	Ecuador	110
111	Malawi	111
	Africa Avg	96.7
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

8.2. Peace Versus Instability Datasets

#extremism #human_development #peace #politics #religious_violence #terrorism

Global Peace Index Lower is better69
Pos.		2023 Score69
1	Iceland	1.12
2	Denmark	1.31
3	Ireland	1.31
	...
48	Oman	1.79
49	Timor-Leste (E. Timor)	1.80
50	Uruguay	1.80
51	Ghana	1.80
52	Senegal	1.83
53	Indonesia	1.83
54	Argentina	1.84
55	Madagascar	1.85
	Africa Avg	2.29
	World Avg	2.07
q=163. Also scored for 2010s.

Peacekeeping & Security Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Samoa	1
2	S. Africa	2
3	Tunisia	3
	...
63	Kenya	63
64	Denmark	64
65	Austria	65
66	Ghana	66
67	Sweden	67
68	Congo, (Brazzaville)	68
69	Bulgaria	69
70	Zimbabwe	70
	Africa Avg	83.6
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Refugees & UN Treaties Lower is better37
Pos.		2017 Rank37
1	Austria	1
2	Germany	2
3	Netherlands	3
	...
90	Cameroon	90
91	Venezuela	91
92	Belarus	92
93	Ghana	93
94	Qatar	94
95	Peru	95
96	Gabon	96
97	Russia	97
	Africa Avg	104.5
	World Avg	82.0
q=163.

Impact of Terrorism Lower is better70
Pos.		2019 Score70
1	Togo	0.00
2	Mongolia	0.00
3	Swaziland	0.00
	...
62	Papua New Guinea	1.36
63	Bosnia & Herzegovina	1.39
64	Kyrgyzstan	1.47
65	Ghana	1.56
66	Kazakhstan	1.57
67	Austria	1.66
68	Argentina	1.68
69	Madagascar	1.96
	Africa Avg	3.41
	World Avg	2.78
q=150.

8.3. Economic Inequality and Poverty Datasets

#capitalism #economics #health #inequality #life_expectancy #poverty #social_development

Inequality in Life Expectancy Lower is better71
Pos.		201971
1	Iceland	2.40
2=	Singapore	2.50
2=	Hong Kong	2.50
	...
144=	Djibouti	23.40
145	Papua New Guinea	24.10
146=	Zimbabwe	24.20
146=	Ghana	24.20
148=	Kiribati	24.70
148=	Yemen	24.70
150	Ethiopia	24.90
151=	Swaziland	25.10
	Africa Avg	26.10
	World Avg	14.59
q=184.

Income Inequality (Gini Coefficient) Lower is better72
Pos.		2023 %72
1	Slovakia	24.1%73
2	Slovenia	24.3%73
3	Belarus	24.4%74
	...
135	Uganda	42.7%75
136=	Central African Rep.	43.0%73
136=	Chile	43.0%76
138=	Ghana	43.5%77
138=	Mexico	43.5%76
140=	St Lucia	43.7%78
140=	Rwanda	43.7%77
142	Grenada	43.8%79
	Africa Avg	40.7%
	World Avg	36.5%
q=167. Also scored for 1980s-2010s.

Income inequality data is rarely available for Ghana - only for 7 years between 1980 and 2019.

Multidimensional Poverty Lower is better80
Pos.		2018 Severity80
1	Armenia	.001
2	Ukraine	.001
3	Serbia	.001
	...
53	India	.123
54	Guatemala	.134
55	Zimbabwe	.137
56	Ghana	.138
57	Lesotho	.146
58	Nepal	.148
59	Cambodia	.170
60	Namibia	.171
	Africa Avg	.264
	World Avg	.154
q=101.

9. Religion and Beliefs

#buddhism #christianity #Ghana #hinduism #islam #judaism #religion #religion_in_ghana #religiosity #secularisation

Religiosity (2018)58
Pos.		Lower is better %58
1	China	3
2	Estonia	6
3	Czechia	7
	...
86=	Nigeria	88
86=	Nicaragua	88
88=	Djibouti	89
88=	Ghana	89
88=	Guatemala	89
91=	Honduras	90
91=	Cameroon	90
91=	Rwanda	90
91=	Liberia	90
95=	Morocco	91
95=	Guinea-Bissau	91
95=	Philippines	91
95=	Zambia	91
99	Afghanistan	92
100=	Burkina Faso	93
100=	Tanzania	93
	World Avg	54.3
q=106.

Pew Forum polling over the decades has found the following adherency rates:₈₁:

	2010	2020
Christian	71.1%	71.3%
Muslim	17.7%	19.9%
Other	5.97%	7.77%
Unaffiliated	5.27%	1.07%
Jewish	None	None
Hindu	None	None
Buddhist	None	None

The CIA World Factbook has slightly different data, and states: Christian 71.2% (Pentecostal/Charismatic 28.3%, Protestant 18.4%, Catholic 13.1%, other 11.4%), Muslim 17.6%, traditional 5.2%, other 0.8%, none 5.2% (2010 census)₈₂.

Freedom of Religion and Belief: Ghana's Constitution protects "freedom of thought, conscience and belief", protects religious freedom, and prohibits discrimination based on religion.₂₉. However, the State itself causes some indirect discrimination by directly funding and supporting specific Christian and Muslim institutions, and religious leaders are seen to have undue influence on the Government₂₉.

“In 2019, a constitutional challenge against the construction of the National Cathedral [on 14 acres of state land next to Parliament] and the setting up of the Hajj board [which pays for Muslims to go on the Hajj pilgrimage] was brought by a local politician, James Bomfeh, who argued that both measures are a violation of the [...] duty of the State to respect equality and uphold religious neutrality.

Bomfeh's case was dismissed by the Supreme Court, who found that the Constitution did not specifically prohibit the Government from "supporting, assisting or cooperating with religious groups."”

"The Freedom of Thought Report" by Humanists International (2021)₂₉.

Links:

• A List of All Religions and Belief Systems
• Secularisation Theory: Will Modern Society Reject Religion? What is Secularism?
• Human Rights and Freedom in Ghana: 4.3. Freedom of Thought