First District-Level Multidimensional Poverty Rankings Identify Poorest District

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has released Ghana’s first district-level multidimensional poverty rankings, identifying Yunyoo Nasuan in the North East Region as the district with the highest poverty incidence in 2025 at 51.6%.

The District-Level Multidimensional Poverty Incidence and Ranking Factsheets cover all 261 districts from 2021 to 2025.

It is the first time Ghana has comparable multidimensional poverty estimates for every district over multiple years, giving policymakers a clearer picture of where deprivation is most concentrated.

The rankings show that poverty goes beyond income to include access to education, healthcare, decent housing, jobs, clean water, sanitation, and opportunities.

Despite the overall progress, sharp inequalities remain across districts.

Of the 261 districts, 250 recorded reductions in multidimensional poverty between 2021 and 2025. Wa West posted the largest improvement over the period.

At the other end of the scale, Ayawaso North Municipal recorded the lowest poverty incidence in 2025 at 5.5%.

The Government Statistician, Alhassan Iddrisu, said the data should guide action rather than create stigma.

The findings are expected to inform District Assemblies Common Fund allocations, social protection programs, infrastructure investment, education, healthcare, and job creation.

“Let us use the evidence to reduce inequalities and ensure that no district and no community is left behind,” the GSS said at the launch.

The event was chaired by Hon. Thomas Ampem Nyarko on behalf of Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson, with attendance from Dr Anthony Yaw Baah, Hon. Isaac Adongo, Hon. Jerry Ahmed Shaib, Hon. Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, development partners, MPs, and stakeholders.

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