Ghana Statistical Service reports record 12 million youth population

The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has released its "Ghana in Numbers 2025" report, revealing that the national population has reached 33.7 million. Central to the findings is the emergence of the country’s largest-ever youth demographic, with approximately 12 million people now aged between 15 and 35. This milestone presents both a significant developmental opportunity and an urgent challenge for the nation’s economic planners as they navigate shifting demographic trends.

Despite a nominal GDP of GH‒1.43 trillion and a declining inflation rate, the report paints a stark picture of the labor market and job quality. The unemployment rate for those aged 15-24 has climbed to 32.4%, significantly higher than the national average of 12.8%. Furthermore, the GSS identified nearly two million young individuals categorized as Not in Employment, Education, or Training (NEET), with women comprising more than 60% of this group. The data also reveals that over 70% of existing jobs remain informal, highlighting a persistent lack of job security across the country.

During the launch of the report, Dr. Johnson Pandit Asiama, Governor of the Bank of Ghana, emphasized the need for more accessible data formats to support modern economic policy-making. He urged the GSS to establish a dedicated electronic portal that provides socio-economic data in machine-readable formats. This initiative is intended to facilitate deeper analysis using artificial intelligence and advanced data analytics, ensuring that policymakers can respond effectively to the pressures of a growing and youthful population.

The GSS report underscores a critical "youth window" that requires strategic investment in education and skills to convert this population surge into a demographic dividend. With 13 million people currently facing food insecurity, the findings serve as a call to action for the government to formalize the economy and improve job quality. The transition toward data-driven governance, as advocated by the Central Bank, is seen as essential for managing these demographic shifts and achieving broader national development goals.