Public perception of Ghana’s economy has declined significantly, with only 17.4 percent of citizens describing the cost of living as “low” in the first quarter of 2026, down from 68.8 percent in 2025.
The findings are from a nationwide survey led by Prof. Smart Sarpong, Head of Social Science Research at Kumasi Technical University, KsTU.
The study was conducted between April 14 and 19, 2026, and covered 4,155 households across 2,350 communities in 100 constituencies within eight regions.
Announcing the results at a press conference in Kumasi on Tuesday, Prof. Sarpong said the data points to growing economic strain on households.
He noted there is now only a 3 percentage point difference between respondents who view the cost of living as “high” and those who say it is unchanged from 2025.
Prof. Sarpong attributed the pressure mainly to rising electricity tariffs, higher public transport fares, and increased costs for call credits and internet services. These sectors, he said, have emerged as the primary drivers of the deteriorating cost of living for most households.
“The data shows that Ghanaians are feeling the pinch most acutely in utilities, transport, and communication. These are essential services, and when their costs rise sharply, household budgets come under immediate stress,” he said.
The survey also highlighted a wide wage gap between the private and public sectors. About 58 percent of private-sector workers earn GHS 2,000 or less per month, compared to 19.7 percent in the public sector.
Middle-to-low-level roles such as nursing and teaching pay two to three times less in the private sector than in the public sector, the report found. This disparity, Prof. Sarpong said, limits households’ ability to save, with only 32.2 percent of workers reporting that they are able to set aside savings during less disruptive months.
Prof. Sarpong urged the government and other stakeholders to act promptly to address the issues, warning that continued pressure on household incomes could deepen economic hardship.
“The situation calls for urgent policy attention. Interventions are needed to cushion households and to narrow the wage gap between sectors,” he said.
The survey’s findings add to ongoing public debate on inflation, wages, and the affordability of essential services in Ghana.
