Stories and facts
Consequently, the residual portion was rechristened as Bunkpurugu-Nyankpanduri District. The district assembly was headquartered in Bunkpurugu, serving as its principal town.
Population Dynamics
The district's demographic landscape is characterized by its youthful population, with nearly half (47%) of its inhabitants below the age of 15. According to the 2010 Population and Housing Census, the district's population stands at 122,591 individuals, constituting approximately 4.9% of the entire Northern Region's population of 2,479,461. The gender distribution showcases a near-equal balance, with males accounting for 49.1% and females making up 50.9%. Furthermore, the majority of the district's population (85.9%) resides in rural areas, and a sex ratio of 96.6 is observed.
Fertility, Mortality, and Migration
The district's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) of 3.77 slightly surpasses the regional average of 3.54. The General Fertility Rate (GFR), reflecting 108.2 births per 1000 women aged 15-49, is one of the highest within the region. The Crude Birth Rate (CBR) stands at 23.6 per 1000 population, while the Crude Death Rate is 4.70 per 1000 population. The majority of migrants (71.9%) within the district were born elsewhere within the region. Additionally, approximately one fifth of migrants originate from other regions, with a notable 8% indicating foreign birthplaces. The Ashanti region emerges as a significant source of migration within Ghana.
Household Structure and Composition
Bunkpurugu-Nyankpanduri District sustains a household population of 121,315, distributed across 17,621 households. The average household size measures 6.9 individuals. Notably, households led by children of household heads constitute the largest proportion (54.8%), whereas head of households account for 14%. Gender differentials are observed in headship, with males (24.6%) surpassing females (4.8%).
Marital Status
Marital patterns in the district indicate that over half of individuals aged 12 years and older are married, while 41.1% have never been married. Approximately 5% are widowed, with negligible percentages falling into other marital categories. Noteworthy variations are found in the age groups at which females and males predominantly marry, with females marrying within the 35-39 age range and males within the 55-59 age range.
Nationality
Ghanaian nationals by birth make up around 95% of the district's population, while foreigners (ECOWAS and others) constitute a minute 0.9%. Minimal gender disparities are observed within these nationality categories.
Literacy and Education
A substantial proportion (56.1%) of the population aged 11 years and older in Bunkpurugu-Nyankpanduri District lacks literacy. Among the literate population, over 70% are proficient in English, and a quarter are bilingual in English and a Ghanaian language. Proficiency in only a Ghanaian language accounts for 3.2%, while minor percentages align with other language categories. Gender-specific differences emerge, with females displaying higher English literacy (75.7%) and males showcasing superior bilingual proficiency (27.1%).
Education Levels
In the district, over half (54.7%) of the currently enrolled population attends primary schools, while nearly one-fifth are in Junior High School (JHS) and 10.5% attend kindergarten. Notably, more females (55.9%) than males (53.7%) are in primary school, while a higher percentage of males (18.8%) attend JHS compared to females (16.0%).
Economic Activity and Employment
A significant portion (76.7%) of individuals aged 15 and older in the district are engaged in economic activities. Of the economically active population, a noteworthy 99.1% are employed, with unemployment hovering at less than 1%. Male and female economically active populations experience similar trends, with employment rates at 99.1% and unemployment rates at 0.9%.
Occupation and Industry
The employed population is primarily engaged in skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery work (88.3%), followed by crate and related works (4.4%). Agriculture, forestry, and fishing constitute the dominant industry, employing 86.3% of workers, while manufacturing contributes 3.6%.
Employment Status and Sector
Self-employment without employees is the prevalent employment status, encompassing 48.22% of the workforce. Approximately 3.1% are employees, and 45% contribute as family workers. Gender disparities emerge in self-employment, favoring males (60%). The private informal sector serves as the district's largest employer, absorbing 96.7% of the workforce, followed by the public sector at 2.2%.
Bunkpurugu-Nyankpanduri District offers a unique glimpse into the intricacies of its demographics, education, and employment landscape. With its evolving administrative history, youthful population, and distinctive economic dynamics, the district continues to play a vital role in the broader context of the North East Region, Ghana.
