Ghana's economy experienced significant growth in 2025, expanding by 6% to reach GH¢1.4 trillion. The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) released a report highlighting the country's strong macroeconomic performance, including a decline in inflation and improved international reserves. The report, titled Ghana in Numbers, was launched in Accra on Thursday. The growth was driven by the services sector, which accounted for 45.9% of gross domestic product (GDP) growth.
The services sector was followed by industry at 31.3% and agriculture at 22.8%. Inflation fell sharply from 23.8% in December 2024 to 5.4% in December 2025. Gross international reserves reached US$13.8 billion, equivalent to 5.7 months of import cover. The GSS report also identified 2.64 million businesses in 2024, including enterprises operating in open spaces and mobile businesses.
The number of business establishments operating in buildings nearly tripled between 2014 and 2024, while the number of people employed by them only doubled. This indicates that business formation is growing faster than employment opportunities. According to the report, nine out of every 10 establishments employed between one and five people. Only 4,874 establishments had 100 or more workers.
The report also highlighted the disconnect between economic growth and job creation. Labour force participation increased from 67.1% in 2022 to 74.5% in 2025, while the unemployment rate averaged 12.8% during the first three quarters of 2025. The Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, noted that close to two million young people were not working, studying, or training.
Women made up more than 60% of the Not in Employment, Education or Training (NEET) group. To address the challenge, Dr Iddrisu recommended that policymakers shift greater attention to the informal sector and young people who were not in employment, education, or training. He urged the government to adopt policies and programmes that would make economic growth more employment-intensive.
The Deputy Minister of Finance, Mr Thomas Nyarko Ampem, acknowledged the challenge of economic growth failing to generate sufficient jobs for the working population. He said the government would focus on supporting job creators, including through the GH¢10 New Economy policy, which is expected to be introduced in the 2027 Budget. The policy targets nine productive sectors with significant job-creation potential.
The government will work with the Ghana Statistical Service to increase domestic funding for statistical activities and improve coordination across the national statistical system. The Deputy Minister emphasized the need for a collaborative effort to address the unemployment challenge. The Ghana in Numbers report provides valuable insights into the country's economic performance and will guide national and regional planning.
Key points
- Ghana's economy grew by 6% in 2025, reaching GH¢1.4 trillion.
- The growth has not translated into the creation of enough decent jobs.
- The government plans to introduce the GH¢10 New Economy policy to support job creators.
