Ghana youth unemployment remains high despite dip in overall jobless rate

Wednesday, 26th November 2025.

by inAfrika Newsroom

New labour statistics show Ghana youth unemployment remains stubbornly high even as the country’s overall jobless rate edges lower. Ghana Statistical Service data indicate the national unemployment rate fell to 13.1% in the fourth quarter of 2024, down from a 14.9% peak in early 2023.

However, the same releases reveal youth unemployment of 22.5% for those aged 15–35 and 32% for the 15–24 age group in 2024. Seven in ten unemployed people are young, underscoring how difficult it remains for graduates and school-leavers to secure work.

Government statisticians described the trend as a modest gain that still masks deep structural problems, including skills mismatches, slow private-sector job creation and regional disparities between urban and rural areas. They urged more investment in apprenticeships, re-skilling programmes and targeted support for young entrepreneurs.

Policy pressure and social risk

Officials in Accra said the new data would feed into a review of Ghana’s employment policies, including incentives for firms that hire first-time jobseekers. Civil society groups, meanwhile, warned that high Ghana youth unemployment could fuel frustration and migration pressures if left unaddressed. Some pointed to rising numbers of young people in vulnerable, informal work with little social protection.

In addition, analysts noted that the labour market remains more challenging for young women, who face higher jobless rates and greater care burdens. They called for childcare support, digital skills training and better access to finance as part of any youth employment package.

Why it matters for Africa

Ghana’s experience matters beyond its borders because it reflects a wider African challenge: unemployment rates can fall while youth still struggle to find decent work. High Ghana youth unemployment shows how fragile gains in growth and macro-stability can be when job creation lags. For policy makers, the data highlight the need to link education reforms, digital skills and industrial policy to real employment pathways. If countries fail to do this, they risk wasting a demographic dividend and fuelling discontent. Conversely, targeted youth employment strategies can turn a large, young population into a driver of innovation, entrepreneurship and long-term growth.