New data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has revealed a growing youth opportunity gap in Ghana, with nearly two million people aged 15 to 35 classified as being outside education, employment or training opportunities.
The figure, which represents 19.5% of Ghana’s youth population, was recorded in the third quarter of 2025 under the category of Not in Education, Employment or Training (NEET), highlighting the challenges facing the country in equipping young people with the skills and opportunities needed for economic participation.
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.”
According to the GSS, the data highlights the urgent need for increased investment in education, skills development and job creation to enable young people to acquire the capabilities required to contribute meaningfully to national development.
The Service said Ghana’s growing youth population presents both an opportunity and a challenge, noting that young people aged 15 to 35 years now constitute 36.9% of the country’s estimated population of 33.7 million, up from 34.6% in 2000.
It warned that the country’s ability to benefit from this demographic advantage will depend on how effectively it equips young people with relevant skills and creates opportunities for decent employment.
Youth unemployment
The NEET figures come amid persistent challenges with youth unemployment in Ghana.
Data from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey covering the first three quarters of 2025 showed that unemployment among persons aged 15 to 35 years averaged 21.9%, significantly higher than the national unemployment rate of 12.8%.
The GSS said the situation requires targeted interventions, including stronger school-to-work transition programmes, expansion of technical and vocational education, support for entrepreneurship and investment in sectors capable of creating sustainable jobs.
Teenage pregnancy affecting education prospects
The Service also highlighted concerns over adolescent pregnancy, citing findings from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey.
The survey showed that 15% of girls aged 15 to 19 years had ever been pregnant, while 11% had already given birth.
According to the GSS, early pregnancy can disrupt girls’ education, limit access to skills development opportunities and reduce their long-term participation in the labour market.
The Service stressed that addressing these challenges will require coordinated efforts to ensure young people are healthy, skilled and empowered to take advantage of economic opportunities.
It said Ghana’s future economic prospects will depend largely on whether the country can transform its youthful population into a productive workforce through education, training and job creation.
