Updated
Overview
Ghana has 4.1 times the population of Togo: 35.06 million people against 8.59 million (2025).
Ghana's economy is 9.6 times the size of Togo's, at $114.21B versus $11.89B.
Per person, Ghana is the wealthier of the two: $3,257 against $1,384 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Ghana | Togo | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $114.21B | $11.89B | 2025 | $82.83B / $9.93B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $3,257 | $1,384 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 6.0% | Higher: 6.3% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 14.2% | Lower: 0.4% | 2025 | 22.8% / 2.9% |
| Unemployment | 3.0% | Lower: 2.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 38 | 34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $182 | $138 | 2024 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $33 | Higher: $87 | 2024 | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 35.06 million | 8.59 million | 2025 | 35.34 million / 9.14 million |
| Population growth | 1.8% | 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 21.3 yrs | 19.1 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 3.30 | 4.07 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 65.7 yrs | 62.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 59% | 44% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 72% | 39% | 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 238,533 km² | 56,785 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 147.0/km² | 151.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 21 Mt | Lower: 2.75 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 0.6 t | Lower: 0.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $268.74M | $195.35M | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 0.4% | 2.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 16,000 | 10,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (6.0% for Ghana, 6.3% for Togo).
Ghana runs the hotter price environment: 14.2% inflation versus 0.4%.
Average monthly earnings favour Ghana: $182 against $138 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Togo is the younger society: median age 19.1 versus 21.3 years.
Life expectancy is 2.8 years longer in Ghana (65.7 vs 62.9).
Ghana is considerably more urbanized: 59% of people live in cities, against 44%.
Internet adoption is higher in Ghana (72% vs 39% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Ghana is 4.2 times the size of Togo: 238,533 km² versus 56,785 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Ghana spends about 40% more on defence than Togo: $268.74M versus $195.35M (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Togo carries the heavier military burden: 2.0% of GDP versus 0.4%.
Ghana fields the larger armed forces: 16,000 personnel against 10,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Ghana bigger than Togo?
- Ghana is larger by land area. Ghana covers 238,533 km² while Togo covers 56,785 km², so Ghana is 4.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Ghana or Togo?
- Ghana has the larger population: 35.06 million versus 8.59 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Ghana richer than Togo?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Ghana is richer: $3,257 against $1,384. Total GDP tells the same story: $114.21B for Ghana versus $11.89B for Togo.
- Who spends more on their military, Ghana or Togo?
- Ghana spends more: $268.74M versus $195.35M per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).