2 million Ghanaian youth neither working nor in school - GSS report

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed that nearly two million young Ghanaians were neither working nor engaged in education or training as of the third quarter of 2025.

The GSS report, released on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, to mark World Population Day, shows that young people aged 15 to 35 make up 36.9% of Ghana’s projected population, up from 34.6% in 2000.

However, youth unemployment remains significantly high, averaging 21.9% in the first three quarters of 2025, almost double the national unemployment rate of 12.8%.

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“National unemployment averaged 12.8 percent during the period, while unemployment among young people aged 15 to 35 averaged 21.9 percent, nearly twice the national rate,” the statement read.

The data indicates that the Greater Accra Region recorded the highest youth unemployment rate at 31.9%, followed by the Central Region at 27.4% and the Ashanti Region at 27.2%.

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The GSS also found that about two million young people, representing 19.5% of the youth population, were classified as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) as of the third quarter of 2025.

The GSS said addressing the situation will require increased investment in technical and vocational education, improved school-to-work transition pathways and entrepreneurship support.

DR/MA