Stories and facts

This transformation led to the remaining portion being designated as the Asutifi North District. With its administrative center located in Hwidiem, the district presents an intriguing blend of population data, economic activities, and cultural elements that contribute to its vibrancy and character.

Demographic Landscape

Asutifi South District encompasses a population of 53,584, contributing approximately 2.3 percent to the total population of the Ahafo Region. The gender distribution reveals a balance, with males representing 53 percent and females constituting 47 percent of the populace. Notably, 63 percent of the district's residents reside in rural areas, reflecting the area's rural character. The district's demographic pyramid portrays a youthful population, with 14 percent falling within the age group of 0-4 years. This pyramid gradually tapers, with a limited number (1.3 percent) aged 70 and above. The age dependency ratio stands at 73.6, reflecting a higher ratio among females (77.6) compared to males (70.2).

Fertility, Mortality, and Migration

Asutifi South District's fertility metrics reveal a Total Fertility Rate of 3.6 and a General Fertility Rate of 107.5 births per 1000 women aged 15-49. The Crude Birth Rate is 25.4 per 1000 population, while the Crude Death Rate is 4 per 1000. This death rate is highest among males and females aged 70 and above. The district contributes 225 of the total 14,189 deaths within the region. Migration patterns demonstrate that a significant majority (76 percent) of migrants originate from other regions, with Ashanti Region accounting for 25.8 percent, followed by Upper East (16.5 percent), and Northern (7.5 percent).

Household Dynamics

Asutifi South District boasts a household population of 50,430, spanning 10,845 households. With an average household size of 5 persons, children form the largest proportion (44.2 percent) of these households. Spouses constitute approximately 11.2 percent, while nuclear households account for 31.8 percent of the total.

Marital Status and Education

Marital statistics reveal that 43.8 percent of the population aged 12 years and above are married, while 41.2 percent have never married. The proportion of individuals in consensual unions stands at 7.6 percent, with 3.5 percent widowed, 3.5 percent divorced, and 1.7 percent separated. Education levels significantly impact these figures, with married individuals showing a lower educational attainment of 37.1 percent, compared to unmarried individuals at 11.7 percent.

Religious and Literacy Composition

Within the district, 69.2 percent of the population identifies as Christian, with Pentecostals/Charismatics comprising the majority (30.5 percent), followed by Islam (21.7 percent), Protestants (15.3 percent), and Catholics (13.1 percent). As for literacy, 74 percent of those aged 11 and above are literate, with a higher literacy rate among males (78.8 percent) compared to females (68.4 percent). Moreover, a significant percentage (72.8 percent) can read and write in both English and Ghanaian languages.

Economic Activities

Economic activity data demonstrates that 74.7 percent of the population aged 15 years and above are economically active, while 25.3 percent are not. Among the economically active, 95.3 percent are employed, while 4.7 percent are unemployed. Students (50.3 percent) form the largest group of economically inactive individuals, followed by those engaged in household duties (28 percent).

Occupation and Employment Sector

The district's employed population is engaged in various occupations, including skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery work (55.1 percent), service and sales (9.5 percent), craft and related trades (8.3 percent), and management, professional, and technical roles (5.6 percent). Self-employment without employees is the most common employment status (63.7 percent), followed by contributing family workers (11 percent), and casual workers (3.8 percent). The private informal sector is the dominant employer, providing jobs for 91.4 percent of the population.

The Asutifi South District stands as a distinct entity within the Ahafo Region of Ghana, characterized by its demographic composition, economic activities, and cultural diversity. With a rich history of transformation from a larger district, Asutifi South has forged its identity, balancing urban and rural elements while contributing significantly to the overall fabric of the region.