Ghana
Ghana’s education financing indicators highlight moderate public commitment but continued gaps relative to global benchmarks. In 2022, the country invested 2.91% of GDP in public education, below both the 6% international target and the regional average. Education accounted for 18.60% of the national budget, above the regional average but still short of the 20% global benchmark. Public spending per school-age child was USD 257.66 (2018), which, despite being relatively higher than in many countries in the region, remains below the regional average.
Attendance indicators suggest near gender parity and comparatively smaller wealth-based disparities, although inequalities persist.
Check out the international comparative figures below, and, in addition, our members’ brief featuring national-level analysis, insights, and policy recommendations.
Read our members’ education financing brief
Public financial effort assesses the share of GDP and the national budget directed to education. International benchmarks recommend 4–6% of GDP and 15–20% of total government spending. The most recent data (2022) shows that public education spending accounted for 2.91% of GDP, below both benchmarks and the regional average. Education expenditure as a share of the national budget reached 18.60%, above the regional average but still below the 20% target.
Public expenditure on education as a % of GDP
Public expenditure on education as a % of total public expenditure
Public spending per school-age child was USD 257.66 in 2018, a comparatively higher amount than in several countries, though still short of the regional average.
Public spending per school-age person
Equity indicators provide insight into disparities in access across gender and wealth groups.
- The gender ratio was 0.98 in 2022, above the regional average and indicating near parity, with boys and girls attending school in almost equal proportions.
- The wealth parity index was 1.35 in 2022, showing that children from wealthier households were about 1.3 times more likely to attend school than those from the poorest households. This level of inequality is below the regional average, suggesting smaller wealth-based disparities than in many neighboring countries.