Finance Minister Dr. Cassiel Ato Forson has announced that approximately 950,000 Ghanaians have been lifted out of multidimensional poverty between 2024 and 2025, citing improvements in the country’s economic performance and living standards.
Delivering the 2026 Mid-Year Budget Review in Parliament on Thursday, July 23, Dr. Forson said Ghana’s multidimensional poverty rate declined from 24.9 percent in the third quarter of 2024 to 21.9 percent during the same period in 2025.
According to the Finance Minister, the reduction reflects significant progress in tackling deprivation across critical sectors, including education, healthcare, employment, and overall living conditions.
“This simply means that about 950,000 Ghanaians moved out of multidimensional poverty in just one year,” Dr. Forson told Parliament.
He also highlighted positive developments in the labour market, noting that the unemployment rate dropped from 13.7 percent during the first three quarters of 2024 to 12.8 percent over the corresponding period in 2025.
Dr. Forson said the latest figures indicate that the government’s economic reforms are beginning to deliver measurable benefits to citizens by improving livelihoods and creating greater economic opportunities.
“Behind these statistics are the hundreds of thousands of families who now enjoy better living conditions and greater hope for the future,” he stated.
The Finance Minister further noted that Ghana is now ranked as the eighth-largest economy in Africa, attributing the country’s improved economic standing to sustained growth, stronger business activity, and increased government capacity to invest in social and economic development.
He expressed confidence that the positive economic trajectory would continue to support inclusive growth and improve the welfare of Ghanaians.