Nearly 2 million young Ghanaians not in employment, education or training – GSS

Nearly two million Ghanaians aged between 15 and 35 were neither employed nor enrolled in education or training in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

Findings published in the Ghana in Numbers 2025 report indicate that young women accounted for more than 60% of those classified as not in employment, education or training (NEET).

The report showed that the average NEET rate stood at 17.9% during the first three quarters of 2025, highlighting persistent challenges in youth employment and economic participation.

Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu expressed concern about the figures, particularly the high proportion of young women affected.

“Close to two million young people are neither working nor in education or training, what we refer to as the NEET group, and more than six in ten of them are young women,” he said.

The Central Region recorded the highest NEET rate at 25.3%. The rate was 20.6% in urban areas, compared with 18% in rural communities.

The findings come as Ghana's youth population is estimated at 12 million in 2025, representing approximately one-third of the country's total population.

The GSS explained that the NEET classification goes beyond unemployment to include young people who are neither working nor participating in formal education or training.

The Service said subsequent editions of Ghana in Numbers would monitor youth unemployment, informal employment, NEET rates and the relationship between education and labour market opportunities to inform policy decisions.