Ghana faces nearly 2 million youth out of education, work and training

The Ghana Statistical Service reports that about two million young people aged 15‑35 – roughly 19.5% of the youth cohort – were classified as NEET (Not in Education, Employment or Training) in the third quarter of 2025. Youth unemployment averaged 21.9%, nearly double the national average of 12.8%, and youths now make up 36.9% of Ghana’s estimated 33.7 million population. Regional disparities were highlighted, with the Greater Accra Region recording a 31.9% youth unemployment rate, followed by the Central Region at 27.4% and the Ashanti Region at 27.2%.

The report also noted social challenges, citing the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey which found that 15% of girls aged 15‑19 had ever been pregnant and 11% had already given birth, factors that can interrupt schooling and limit skill development. Released for World Population Day 2026 under the theme “Investing in Ghana’s Future through Healthy, Skilled and Empowered Young People,” the GSS called for increased investment in technical and vocational education, stronger school‑to‑work pathways, entrepreneurship support and expansion of sectors capable of creating decent jobs.