Stories and facts

Demographics

The population of the Mion District, as recorded in the 2010 Population and Housing Census, stands at 81,812 individuals. Among this population, females comprise a slightly larger proportion at 50.3% compared to males at 49.7%, resulting in a sex ratio of 98.8. The district's populace exhibits a predominantly rural residency, with 91.1% residing in rural areas and the remaining 8.9% in urban settings. The age distribution in the district skews toward the youth, as approximately 46.7% of the population is below the age of 15, while elderly individuals aged 60 years and older constitute 6.2% of the population. This demographic composition creates a population pyramid characterized by a broad base and a tapering upper portion. The age dependency ratio for the district is 103.6, with the rural population having a higher ratio of 104.2 compared to the urban population's 97.8.

Fertility, Mortality, and Migration

The Mion District's Total Fertility Rate stands at 3.4, slightly above the regional average of 3.5. The General Fertility Rate, calculated at 102.9 births per 1000 women aged 15-49 years, and the Crude Birth Rate of 23.7 per 1000 population underscore the district's fertility dynamics. In terms of mortality, the crude death rate is 6.8 per 1000 live births, surpassing the regional average of 5.9 per 1000. Migration patterns reveal that a significant majority (86.4%) of migrants in the district were born within the region, while 13.6% were born in other regions. Furthermore, migrants born outside the region are predominantly from various parts of the country, with a substantial portion (57.0%) originating from countries beyond Ghana's borders. The Volta and Upper East regions each contribute 8.4% of migrants from other regions.

Household Characteristics

The Mion District sustains a population of 81,026 distributed across 8,842 households, resulting in an average household size of 9.3 individuals. The household composition is predominantly marked by children, comprising 52.0% of the total. Heads of households and other relatives constitute 10.9% and 10.2%, respectively, while extended families, encompassing the head, spouse(s), children, and head's relatives, constitute a significant 64.8% of all households.

Marital and Educational Profiles

Among the population aged 12 years and older, 60.6% are married, 34.3% have never been married, and 2.8% are widowed. Within the married demographic, 88.6% have no formal education, while 8.9% have basic education. Comparatively, 58.0% of those who have never been married have not attended school, and 34.5% possess basic education. Employment patterns are notable within these groups, with 88.1% of the married population being employed and 69.7% of the never-married group also being employed.

Cultural and Religious Diversity

The Mion District showcases a diverse religious landscape, with 61.8% of its population identifying as followers of Islam, while Christians and Traditionalists represent 17.3% each. Additionally, 2.7% of the population professes to have no religious affiliation.

Literacy and Educational Attainment

Regarding literacy, 22.4% of individuals aged 11 years and older are literate, leaving 77.6% not possessing literacy skills. Of the literate population, 21.5% are proficient in reading and writing English only, whereas 70.8% can read and write both English and a Ghanaian language. Among those aged 3 years and older, 68.5% have not attended school, 25.7% have attended in the past, and 5.8% are presently attending educational institutions. Within this framework, 77.3% of students fall under the Basic school level.

Economic Landscape

A significant majority (83.5%) of the population aged 15 years and older are economically active, with 16.5% being economically inactive. Among the economically active individuals, 98.7% are employed, and 1.3% are unemployed. Among the unemployed, 41.1% are seeking work for the first time. In the category of economically inactive individuals, 31.9% are engaged in household duties, while 30.8% are students.

Occupation and Industry

A substantial portion (92.5%) of the district's workforce is engaged in Skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery work, while 2.1% are involved in Craft and related trades. A gender-based breakdown reveals that females (3.0%) are more likely than males (1.3%) to be engaged in Craft and related trades, whereas males (95.1%) dominate the Skilled agricultural, forestry, and fishery sector. In terms of industry sectors, 91.4% of employment lies within Agriculture, with 2.3% in Industry and 6.3% in Services. It's noteworthy that while more males (94.0%) are employed in Agriculture, females are relatively more engaged in the Services and Industry sectors.

Employment Structure and Sector

Of the population aged 15 years and older, 62.2% are self-employed without employees, 29.5% are contributing family workers, and 2.7% are employees. Male employees (3.3%) outnumber their female counterparts (2.2%). The private informal sector serves as the predominant employer, encompassing 98.6% of the district's working population.

The Mion District presents a multifaceted tapestry of demographics, economic activities, and social intricacies. With a focus on its population dynamics, economic pursuits, and cultural makeup, this profile offers insights into the unique features that define the district's identity within the broader context of Northern Ghana.