Rural Non-farm Employment in Ghana in an Era of Structural Transformation: Prevalence, Determinants and Implications for Well-being

Using data from recent nationally representative living standards surveys in Ghana, this study examines non-farm employment in rural Ghana. The data suggest an increase in rural non-farm employment over a seven-year period, with females outpacing males in that sector. The main factors driving the likelihood of non-farm employment include human capital, household financial resources, infrastructure availability and non-ownership of land. Rural well-being is improving, and this is taking place against the backdrop of structural transformation reflected in part by an increase in non-farm employment and educational attainment. Government policies aimed at providing rural areas with electricity and accessible roads, among others, have helped to create an enabling environment for improvement in well-being.