Ghana has been ranked the 12th most expensive country to live in Africa, according to new cost-of-living data released by Numbeo, a global database tracking prices and consumer costs worldwide.
The index, which assessed 23 African countries, placed Ghana behind nations such as Ethiopia, Botswana, Mozambique, and Ivory Coast. Ethiopia topped the ranking with a cost-of-living index score of 43.2, while Ghana recorded a score of 30.6. The country also registered a grocery index of 33.3 and a relatively low rent index of 12.1.
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Other countries ranked ahead of Ghana include Somalia, Cameroon, Mauritius, Zimbabwe, Rwanda, Zambia, and Tanzania.
The Numbeo index captures relative costs for key living expenses, including food, rent, transport, healthcare, and utilities. Despite recent improvements in Ghana’s inflation outlook, overall living costs remain comparatively high, especially for essential services.
Ghana’s headline inflation dropped to 18.4% in May 2025, down from 21.2% in April, marking the fifth consecutive month of decline. The Ghana Statistical Service attributed the improvement to falling transport and non-food costs. Transport inflation saw a particularly steep drop—from 14.9% to 3.1%—while food inflation declined to 22.8%, down from 25%.
Non-food inflation also eased to 14.4%, compared to 17.9% in April. However, despite this trend, many households continue to feel the squeeze of high living expenses, with food, school fees, medical bills, and utility costs remaining significant burdens.
Civil society groups and labour unions have called on the government to provide targeted support for low- and middle-income households, arguing that headline inflation gains have yet to translate into real relief for many Ghanaians.
