Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ghana
Ghana: Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) was 4.0% in 2024. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ghana, 1989–2024
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
Ghana recorded 4.0% for unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in 2024.
That represents a change of up 22.4% on the previous year and up 82.8% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ghana peaked at 10.5% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 0.8%, in 1989.
That places Ghana 126th out of 187 countries with data for 2024, putting it in the middle of the range.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ghana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1989 | 0.8% | — |
| 1991 | 3.5% | +336.7% |
| 1992 | 4.7% | +34.7% |
| 1998 | 8.2% | +74.5% |
| 1999 | 10.1% | +23.2% |
| 2000 | 10.5% | +3.5% |
| 2006 | 4.9% | -53.2% |
| 2010 | 5.4% | +9.9% |
| 2013 | 2.2% | -59.6% |
| 2015 | 6.8% | +213.2% |
| 2017 | 3.4% | -50.5% |
| 2021 | 3.2% | -5.2% |
| 2022 | 2.9% | -10.2% |
| 2023 | 3.2% | +13.1% |
| 2024 | 4.0% | +22.4% |
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980s | 0.8% | 0.8% | 0.8% | 1 |
| 1990s | 6.6% | 3.5% | 10.1% | 4 |
| 2000s | 7.7% | 4.9% | 10.5% | 2 |
| 2010s | 4.4% | 2.2% | 6.8% | 4 |
| 2020s | 3.3% | 2.9% | 4.0% | 4 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
- 123 Australia 4.2% compare
- 124 Faroe Islands 4.0% compare
- 125 Trinidad and Tobago 4.0% compare
- 127 Ethiopia 3.9% compare
- 128 Malaysia 3.9% compare
- 128 Netherlands 3.9% compare
- 128 Slovenia 3.9% compare
More work & labour data for Ghana
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual 0.1512 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth 0.1464 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth 0.1562 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -0.2734 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 1.99 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 37,518 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 13,752 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 34,429 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 33,119 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 67,548 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ghana?
- Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) in Ghana was 4.0% in 2024, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 10.5% in 2000.
- What is the lowest unemployment, total (% of total labor force) recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 0.8% in 1989.
- How does Ghana rank for unemployment, total (% of total labor force)?
- Ghana ranks 126th out of 187 countries with data for 2024.
- Is unemployment, total (% of total labor force) rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is up 82.8%. The long-run trend across the full record is volatile.
- Where does this Ghana data come from?
- The figures come from Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO), published as part of Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Unemployment refers to the share of the labor force that is without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.