In a startling revelation, the inaugural statistical report by the Births and Deaths Registry has disclosed that between 2010 and 2022, only a fraction of deaths projected in Ghana were officially registered where over 2.9 million deaths were not documented.
Out of an estimated 3.5 million (3,536,756) deaths, a mere 629,710 were captured in the Registry’s records, leaving over 2.9 million (2,907,046) deaths—over 82%—unregistered across the country.
This means more than five out of every six deaths representing 561% of the projected total during the 13-year period went undocumented by the national vital statistics system.
Stark disparities in annual breakdown
The report offers a detailed breakdown of the projected versus registered deaths each year, revealing a consistent gap in all 13 years under review.
2010: 52,251 deaths registered; 246,588 projected
2011: 58,399 registered; 252,753 projected
2012: 54,551 registered; 259,072 projected
2013: 51,466 registered; 265,549 projected
2014: 52,576 registered; 272,187 projected
2015: 53,018 registered; 278,992 projected
2016: 51,805 registered; 285,967 projected
2017: 48,648 registered; 293,116 projected
2018: 49,629 registered; 300,444 projected
2019: 51,054 registered; 307,955 projected
2020: 51,026 registered; 315,654 projected
2021: 55,349 registered; 323,545 projected
2022: 50,992 registered; 134,934 estimated deaths
Despite slight annual improvements, registration figures hovered far below 20% of projected deaths throughout the period.
Systemic challenges and estimation methodology
The Births and Deaths Registry explained that, for each registration year, expected death figures are estimated based on the most recent Population and Housing Census (PHC) data. These estimates guide district and regional statistical activities and aim to ensure mortality records align with demographic realities.
Since 2011, the Registry used projections based on the 2010 PHC.
The projections were only revised in 2022 in response to updated figures from the 2021 PHC, which reported 132,199 actual deaths compared to 134,934 estimated deaths by the Registry.
Revised mortality expectations for 2022
Following the 2021 PHC, the Registry adjusted its methodology to reflect new demographic trends.
The inter-censal growth rate had declined from 2.5% (2000–2010) to 2.1% (2010–2021).
Additionally, mortality rates fell from 9.4 deaths per 1,000 people in 2010 to 7 deaths per 1,000 in 2022.
These statistics suggested fewer expected deaths in 2022 compared to prior years, leading to a more accurate recalibration of national death projections.
Still, the number of deaths officially registered in 2022—50,992—remained far below even the revised estimates.
Implications for national planning and public health
The massive under-registration of deaths presents serious implications for national planning, health policy, pension systems, and the accuracy of vital statistics.
Death registration data is critical for determining causes of death, tracking disease trends, and designing health interventions.
Experts argue that without accurate data, government agencies cannot fully assess the effectiveness of public health programmes or allocate resources appropriately.
Furthermore, families often face legal and bureaucratic challenges when death certificates are unavailable.
The way forward
The Births and Deaths Registry has signalled its intent to strengthen collaboration with health institutions, traditional authorities, and local governments to improve death registration compliance.
Additionally, public awareness campaigns are expected to be rolled out, focusing on the importance of registering deaths promptly.
Efforts are also underway to digitise and decentralise the registration process, making it easier for families in rural and underserved areas to comply with national requirements.
The inaugural statistical report from the Births and Deaths Registry has laid bare a troubling national trend: millions of Ghanaians are dying without being officially recorded.
While improvements to data systems and estimation models offer a hopeful future, the Registry’s findings call for immediate action to ensure every Ghanaian life—and death—is accounted for.
