Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, Government Statistician, has announced that nearly two million young people in Ghana are not in employment, education, or training. This revelation raises concerns about youth development and access to opportunities in the country. The issue affects women disproportionately, with over 60% of the affected group being female. This highlights the need for targeted policies to help young people, particularly women, access jobs, education, and skills training.
The Government Statistician made this statement at the launch of the Ghana in Numbers 2025 report in Accra. He emphasized the need for measures to reduce the number of young people who are neither working nor acquiring skills for future employment. Dr. Iddrisu's comments come at a time when the country is seeking to address its economic challenges and support sustainable growth.
On the topic of inflation, Dr. Iddrisu reported that Ghana's inflation rate declined for 12 consecutive months in 2025. The inflation rate fell from 23.8% in December 2024 to 5.4% in December 2025. Food inflation stood at 4.9% at the end of 2025, while non-food inflation was 5.8%. Inflation for locally produced items was 5.9%, compared with 4.3% for imported goods.
However, Dr. Iddrisu noted that inflation levels varied across the regions. This variation makes it necessary for policymakers to consider local economic conditions when designing interventions. The differing inflation rates across regions may require tailored approaches to address the specific economic challenges faced by each area.
The labour market also saw significant changes, according to Dr. Iddrisu. Labour force participation increased from 67.1% in 2022 to 74.5% in 2025. The proportion of the population in employment rose from 58.3% to 65% over the same period. Despite this improvement, the Government Statistician expressed concern about the quality of jobs.
More than 70% of jobs in Ghana are in the informal sector, where many workers lack written employment contracts, pension benefits, and predictable working conditions. The situation is particularly worrying because about 92% of businesses in Ghana also operate informally. This informality can make it challenging for workers to access essential benefits and protections.
The Ghana Statistical Service has begun collecting data on informal cross-border trade for the first time. The exercise focuses on trading activities along Ghana's borders with Togo, Burkina Faso, and Côte d'Ivoire. This data collection effort aims to help the country better understand economic activities that are not captured in formal trade records.
Key points
- Nearly 2 million young people in Ghana are not in employment, education, or training.
- Women account for over 60% of the affected group.
- Ghana's inflation rate declined for 12 consecutive months in 2025.
