Ghana vs United States: Compare Statistics
Side-by-side comparison of 125 key metrics across economy, population, geography, and more — latest data through 2026.
Summary
In the comparison of Ghana and the United States, the United States leads in several key metrics including GDP and life expectancy. The United States boasts a GDP of $32.95 trillion compared to Ghana's $87.51 billion, and a life expectancy of 83.22 years versus Ghana's 68.98 years. However, Ghana excels in areas such as urbanization, with 3.89% of its land urbanized compared to 2.11% in the United States.
Economy
The United States dominates economically with a GDP of $32.95 trillion, far surpassing Ghana's $87.51 billion. In agriculture, the United States also leads with $350.60 billion in value added, compared to Ghana's $18.41 billion.
People and Society
The United States has a total population of 349.13 million, significantly larger than Ghana's 35.70 million. The median age in the United States is 38.79 years, while Ghana's is much younger at 21.53 years.
Environment
Ghana has a higher percentage of urbanized land at 3.89%, compared to 2.11% in the United States. Additionally, Ghana leads in above-ground biomass in forests with 96.64 tonnes/ha, slightly more than the United States at 94.67 tonnes/ha.
Communications
8 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet Penetration Rate (%) | 72.18 % | 94.69 %★ | |
| Internet Usage Rate by Country (% of Population) | 69.94 % | 93.14 %★ | |
| Internet Users | percent of population: 70% (2023 est.) | percent of population: 93% (2023 est.) | |
| Mobile Internet Speed | 0.66 Mbps | 38.86 Mbps★ | |
| Press Freedom Index Score | 67.13 points★ | 65.49 points | |
| Radios | 12.5 | 575★ | |
| Televisions | 1.9 | 219★ | |
| Waterways | 1,293 | 41,009★ |
Economy
50 metricsEnvironment
8 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual CO₂ Emissions Growth (abs) | 886,226 | -14.29M★ | |
| Carbon Dioxide Emissions | 20.82 | 4.8★ | |
| Contiguous Zone | 24★ | 12 | |
| Continental Shelf | 200 | not specified; | |
| Population Distribution | population is concentrated in the southern half of the country, with the highest concentrations on or near the Atlantic coast, as shown in this population distribution map | large urban clusters are spread throughout the eastern half of the US (particularly the Great Lakes area, northeast, east, and southeast) and the western-tier states; mountainous areas such as the Rocky Mountains and Appalachians, deserts in the southwest | |
| Protected Land Area for Adaptation | 15.2 sq km★ | 12.85 sq km | |
| Total Renewable Groundwater Resources by Country | 26.3 Cubic meters per year | 1,383 Cubic meters per year★ | |
| Total Renewable Water Resources | 56.2★ | 3.07 |
Geography
7 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percentage of land area by degree of urbanization | 3.89 %★ | 2.11 % | |
| Above-Ground Biomass in Forest (tonnes/ha) | 96.64★ | 94.67 | |
| Agricultural land | 130,393.8 sq. km | 4.17M sq. km★ | |
| Airports per 1,000 Sq Km | 227,533 | 9.15M★ | |
| Coastline Length (km) | 539 km | 19,924 km★ | |
| Dam capacity per capita | 4,109.2 cubic meters per inhabitant★ | 2,113 cubic meters per inhabitant | |
| Irrigated Land | 360 | 234,782★ |
Government
4 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rule of Law Index by Country | 47.28 % | 88.3 %★ | |
| Administrative Divisions | 16 | 50★ | |
| Independence | 6★ | 4 | |
| Suffrage Participation Rate | 18 | 18 |
Health
12 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Access to Safe Drinking Water | 42.94 % | 97.57 %★ | |
| Diabetes Prevalence (% of Population) | 2.7 | 13.7★ | |
| Health Care Spending per Capita | 281.09 USD | 15,459.46 USD★ | |
| Health Expenditure (% of GDP) | 4.2 % of GDP | 16.6 % of GDP★ | |
| HIV/AIDS Adult Prevalence Rate | 1.7 % | NA | |
| Hospital Bed Density | 0.7 people/sq km | 2.7 people/sq km★ | |
| Maternal Mortality Ratio (%) | 234 % | 17 %★ | |
| Mean Age at First Birth | 22.1 | 27.5★ | |
| Obesity Adult Prevalence Rate (%) | 10.9 %★ | 36.2 % | |
| People Living With HIV/AIDS | 350,000 | NA | |
| Total Number of Doctors | 0.14 | 3.68★ | |
| Underweight Children Under 5 | 12 | 0.4★ |
Military and Security
1 metric| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Armed Forces Personnel (PPP) | 16,000 | 1.40M★ |
People and Society
30 metricsTransportation
4 metrics| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Travel Trips Per Capita (PPP) | 0.05 | 2.06★ | |
| Airports | 11 | 16,116★ | |
| Civil Air Travel | 8 | 8,252★ | |
| Heliports | 7 | 8,130★ |
Other
1 metric| Metric | 🇬🇭 Ghana | 🇺🇸 United States | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Current Bank Rate | 14 %★ | 3.75 % |