Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages) … national in Ghana
Ghana: Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages) … national was 5.9% in 2025. ◆ Volatile
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Ghana, 1991–2025
Source: Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Ghana is 5.9%, measured in 2025.
Compared with earlier readings it is down 41.3% on the previous year and down 61.3% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Ghana peaked at 16.7% in 2000 and was at its lowest, 1.2%, in 2021.
Ghana ranks 134th of 160 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The series is highly variable year to year, so single readings are best treated with caution.
Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages) … national in Ghana, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 1991 | 5.6% | — |
| 1998 | 15.9% | +182.4% |
| 2000 | 16.7% | +5.2% |
| 2006 | 10.0% | -40.0% |
| 2010 | 11.3% | +13.2% |
| 2013 | 4.6% | -59.2% |
| 2015 | 15.2% | +228.0% |
| 2017 | 6.2% | -59.0% |
| 2021 | 1.2% | -81.4% |
| 2022 | 5.2% | +349.0% |
| 2023 | 6.9% | +32.2% |
| 2024 | 10.0% | +45.6% |
| 2025 | 5.9% | -41.3% |
Ghana compared with similar countries
- Ghana's 5.9% is below the median for lower middle income countries, which is 8.5%, 69% of the median. (32 countries reporting)
- Ghana's 5.9% is below the median for Sub-Saharan Africa, which is 10.1%, 58% of the median. (26 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 10.8% | 5.6% | 15.9% | 2 |
| 2000s | 13.4% | 10.0% | 16.7% | 2 |
| 2010s | 9.3% | 4.6% | 15.2% | 4 |
| 2020s | 5.8% | 1.2% | 10.0% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Ghana
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, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Ghana?
- Unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) in Ghana was 5.9% in 2025, according to Labour Force Statistics database (LFS), International Labour Organization (ILO).
- What is the highest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Ghana?
- The highest recorded value was 16.7% in 2000.
- What is the lowest unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) recorded in Ghana?
- The lowest recorded value was 1.2% in 2021.
- How does Ghana rank for unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24)?
- Ghana ranks 134th out of 160 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) rising or falling in Ghana?
- Over the last ten years it is down 61.3%. 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, youth total (% of total labor force ages 15-24) (national estimate). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Youth unemployment refers to the share of the labor force ages 15-24 without work but available for and seeking employment. Definitions of labor force and unemployment differ by country.