More than 227,000 Ghanaians are simultaneously trapped in multidimensional poverty, unemployment and food insecurity, according to the latest Multidimensional Poverty Index (MPI) report released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The report shows that the proportion of persons aged 15 years and older facing this “triple burden” increased slightly from 1.4 per cent in Q2 2025 to 1.5 per cent in Q3 2025, despite overall improvements in poverty levels nationwide.
“The population 15 years and older who suffered triple burden in food insecurity, unemployment and multidimensional poverty increased marginally from 1.4 percent to 1.5 percent,” the GSS stated.
Although extreme deprivation is often associated with rural areas, the report reveals that some of the highest numbers of people facing the triple burden are found in Ghana’s most urbanised and economically active regions.
“Extreme vulnerability was most concentrated in Greater Accra, Ashanti, and Central Regions,” the report noted, with Greater Accra alone recording over 53,000 people facing the combined pressures of poverty, joblessness and food insecurity.
This, the GSS said, points to “hidden vulnerability” within urban and peri-urban communities where rising living costs and unstable employment are eroding household resilience.
While the number of people experiencing both food insecurity and multidimensional poverty declined slightly, the problem remains widespread.
The report shows that the population facing the double burden of food insecurity and multidimensional poverty fell from 12.5 per cent to 10.9 per cent between Q2 and Q3 2025, indicating some improvement but continued exposure for millions of households.
“Multiple burdens of poverty, unemployment, and food insecurity remain a serious concern,” the GSS warned.
Overall, multidimensional poverty declined to 21.9 per cent in Q3 2025, down from 24.9 per cent in Q4 2024, with more than 360,000 people moving out of poverty in just one quarter.
However, the GSS cautioned that national averages mask deep vulnerabilities among specific population groups.
“The findings provide clear evidence that poverty reduction in Ghana must move beyond broad national averages to focus on who is most affected and where deprivations overlap,” the report said.
The Statistical Service is calling for a more integrated policy response that tackles poverty, employment and food security together rather than in isolation.
Priority actions, according to the report, include strengthening livelihoods, expanding social protection, stabilising employment for vulnerable households and improving nutrition outcomes, particularly in urban poor communities..
