Nearly two million young Ghanaians are neither in education, employment nor training, highlighting the country’s growing challenge of turning its youthful population into a productive workforce, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).Ghanaian economic overview
The GSS said about two million people aged 15 to 35, representing 19.5% of Ghana’s youth population, were classified as Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET) as of the third quarter of 2025.
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The figures were released as part of activities marking World Population Day under the theme, “Investing in Ghana’s Future through Healthy, Skilled and Empowered Young People.”
The Service said the findings underscore the need for stronger investments in education, skills development and job creation to ensure young people are equipped to contribute to national development.
The GSS also highlighted concerns over adolescent pregnancy, citing findings from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey, which showed that 15% of girls aged 15 to 19 had ever been pregnant, while 11% had already given birth.
According to the Service, early pregnancy can interrupt education, reduce access to skills development and limit young women’s long-term participation in the labour market.
The NEET figures come against the backdrop of persistently high youth unemployment.
Data from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first three quarters of 2025 showed that unemployment among people aged 15 to 35 averaged 21.9%, compared with the national average of 12.8%.
The GSS said Ghana’s demographic profile presents both an opportunity and a challenge.
Young people aged 15 to 35 now account for 36.9% of the country’s estimated population of 33.7 million, up from 34.6% in 2000, making youth outcomes increasingly important to the country’s long-term economic prospects.
The Service called for increased investment in technical and vocational education, stronger school-to-work transition programmes, support for entrepreneurship and expansion of sectors capable of creating decent jobs.
It said whether Ghana benefits from its growing youth population will depend on the country’s ability to equip young people with the education, skills and employment opportunities needed to participate fully in the economy.Ghanaian economic overview.Source:William Narh
