The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has launched 'Ghana in Numbers 2025', a comprehensive publication that compiles official statistics on population, social development, economy, businesses, governance, environment, and Sustainable Development Goals. This maiden flagship publication aims to provide decision-makers and the public with a shared set of figures for planning and tracking progress. The publication presents key figures, trends, and analysis to inform decision-making.
The Government Statistician, Dr Alhassan Iddrisu, highlighted progress in areas such as inflation, poverty, child mortality, life expectancy, and citizens' participation in government decisions. He emphasized that the figures will help track Ghana's progress towards national and international development goals. Dr Iddrisu also noted ongoing challenges, including unemployment, which eased to 12.8 per cent in 2025, but still remains a concern.
Dr Iddrisu stressed that more than seven in ten jobs in Ghana remained informal, and nearly two million young people were not in education, employment, or training. He expressed concern that Ghana's youth window is open but closing, and choices made in the next 10 years will determine whether it becomes a dividend or a burden. He called for predictable domestic funding to support Ghana's statistical work.
The Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Johnson Pandit Asiama, emphasized the importance of reliable, timely statistics for monetary policy and financial regulation. He noted that the publication can help policymakers, businesses, researchers, and the public understand Ghana's progress, identify challenges, and make informed decisions. Dr Asiama proposed making underlying data series available through a dedicated electronic portal.
The Deputy Minister for Finance, Thomas Nyarko Ampem, highlighted the significance of reliable statistics for accountable, data-driven economic governance. He noted that the publication will serve as a tool to help the country understand its challenges and make better-informed decisions. Ampem emphasized the need for quality education, relevant skills, productive investment, and decent jobs to help young people contribute to the economy.
Ampem committed that the Ministry of Finance will work with the Ghana Statistical Service towards more predictable domestic funding for its core programs. He stressed that Ghana must take greater ownership of financing its essential statistics. The Deputy Minister also noted that credible numbers do not tell us what we want to hear but what we need to know.
The launch of 'Ghana in Numbers 2025' was made possible with the support of the Minister of Finance, who allocated GH¢207 million in the 2026 financial year to rebase Gross Domestic Product and the Consumer Price Index and fund related activities. The publication is accompanied by a web portal featuring district-level data, interactive maps, and downloadable resources, as well as a pocket edition.
Key points
- The Ghana Statistical Service launches 'Ghana in Numbers 2025' to guide national planning and decision-making with reliable statistics.
- The publication presents key figures on population, social development, economy, businesses, governance, environment, and Sustainable Development Goals.
- The Ministry of Finance commits to working with the Ghana Statistical Service towards more predictable domestic funding for its core programs.
