Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Ghana
Ghana: Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care was 9.1% in 2022. ◆ Volatile
Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Ghana, 2003–2022
Source: Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), Harvard Medical School. Measured in % of people at risk.
Analysis
In 2022, risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Ghana stood at 9.1%.
That represents a change of up 82.0% on the previous year and down 54.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Ghana peaked at 53.5% in 2003 and was at its lowest, 5.0%, in 2021.
Ghana ranks 74th of 134 countries on this measure, in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Ghana, year by year
| Year | % of people at risk | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | 53.5% | — |
| 2004 | 49.2% | -8.0% |
| 2005 | 37.5% | -23.8% |
| 2006 | 31.3% | -16.5% |
| 2007 | 28.9% | -7.7% |
| 2008 | 24.3% | -15.9% |
| 2009 | 11.9% | -51.0% |
| 2010 | 14.4% | +21.0% |
| 2011 | 11.5% | -20.1% |
| 2012 | 19.9% | +73.0% |
| 2013 | 9.3% | -53.3% |
| 2014 | 13.9% | +49.5% |
| 2016 | 19.9% | +43.2% |
| 2017 | 21.1% | +6.0% |
| 2018 | 18.4% | -12.8% |
| 2019 | 15.3% | -16.8% |
| 2020 | 5.5% | -64.1% |
| 2021 | 5.0% | -9.1% |
| 2022 | 9.1% | +82.0% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 9.1% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 29.2%, 31% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 9.1% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 51.7%, 18% of the median. (36 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 33.8% | 11.9% | 53.5% | 7 |
| 2010s | 16.0% | 9.3% | 21.1% | 9 |
| 2020s | 6.5% | 5.0% | 9.1% | 3 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
- 73 Mongolia 10.4% compare
- 75 Costa Rica 8.9% compare
- 76 Mauritius 8.8% compare
- 77 Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of 8.6% compare
More health data for Ghana
- Un projection of annual infant deaths, annual growth rate -1.37 % change on previous year (2100)
- Heat deaths vs projected death rates, annual growth rate 0.6224 % change on previous year (2090)
- Estimated changes in temperature-related death rates compared to projected death rates 986.1 deaths per 1,000 people (2090)
- Number of infants who die before age 1 8,361 deaths (2100)
- Neonatal tetanus - number of reported cases, gaps filled 2 (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, annual growth rate 0.5623 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, female, per capita 0.06 units per person (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, annual growth rate 0.5816 % change on previous year (2025)
- Population ages 00-04, male, per unit of GDP 0 units per US$ of GDP (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Ghana?
- Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care in Ghana was 9.1% in 2022, according to Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), Harvard Medical School.
- What is the highest risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 53.5% in 2003.
- What is the lowest risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 5.0% in 2021.
- How does Ghana rank for risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care?
- Ghana ranks 74th out of 134 countries with data for 2022.
- Is risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 54.3%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from Program in Global Surgery and Social Change (PGSSC), Harvard Medical School, published as part of Risk of catastrophic expenditure for surgical care (% of people at risk). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
The proportion of population at risk of catastrophic expenditure when surgical care is required. Catastrophic expenditure is defined as direct out of pocket payments for surgical and anaesthesia care exceeding 10% of total income.