Ghana Embraces Degree of Urbanisation for Data-Driven Development
Urbanisation is a global megatrend; however, despite its significance, it is not uniformly understood or measured. Definitional gaps undermine its understanding because each country applies its own criteria leading to major challenges in cross-country comparisons, policy and planning, global reporting and using binary classifications. These issues highlight the urgent need for a harmonised, scalable definition of urbanisation.
A national team of experts has been equipped to take forward actions on the redefinition and measurement of urban and rural areas in Ghana, following the completion of a five-day training workshop on the Degree of Urbanization (DEGRUBA). The outcome is expected to support a more people centred and evidence-based approach to classifying human settlements and improve national planning and reporting.
The workshop focused on how urban and rural areas are defined across countries and whether current methods address the complexities of settlement patterns, population size, density and infrastructure. Participants examined whether reporting on SDG indicators can be compared between countries when their definitions of urban and rural areas are not the same. While several countries rely on population size alone, others add population density, infrastructure, land use, dominant economic activity such as non-agricultural activities, or legal instruments.
Country Representative of UNFPA Ghana, Dr. Wilfred Ochan highlighted the funds’ commitment to supporting national efforts. “Urbanisation data must serve people and help improve lives. By adopting a clear and comparable approach such as DEGRUBA, Ghana is strengthening its capacity to plan better for every community. UNFPA remains committed to supporting this national effort to leave no one behind,” He said.
Ghana's proactive stance on this issue was underscored by the Deputy Government Statistician of Ghana, Dr. Faustina Frimpong, acknowledged the global disparity in urban definitions, where population thresholds vary widely, making international comparisons challenging. In response, Ghana has not only maintained its "usual urban" definition (5,000 population) for historical comparability but has also introduced "Urban 2."
This new classification requires areas with a population of 5,000 to also have 75% access to electricity and 50% access to water, schools, and health services. Areas meeting the population threshold but lacking these amenities are categorized as "Rural Plus." This nuanced approach is crucial for guiding societal development within Ghana and ensuring a consistent national understanding of urbanity for effective planning.
Supported by the Ghana Statistical Service and facilitated by UNFPA and the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission, with participation from the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, Ghana Statistical Service, University of Ghana, University of Cape Coast and the National Development Planning Commission, the workshop adopted the definition of the degree of urbanization used by the Joint Research Centre and endorsed by the UN Statistical Commission in 2020. This method is based on population size, population density and built-up area, using a grid-based approach of one-kilometre square cells. It has led to the classification of human settlements into three categories. Cities or urban centres are defined as having a population of 50,000 or more, a population density of 1,500 people or more per square kilometre, and a built-up area that is continuous and compact. Towns and semi dense areas, also referred to as urban clusters, are defined as having a population of 5,000 or more, a population density of 300 people or more per square kilometre, and a built-up area that is less dense than cities but still urban in character. Rural areas are defined as all other areas that do not meet the population or density thresholds above.
The involvement of academia is expected to ensure academic rigour and to support the institutionalisation of the approach in training programmes so that future experts come out well equipped.
