Ghana’s Unemployment Rate Drops Slightly to 13.6%, But Youth Joblessness Remains a Major Concern

Ghana’s national unemployment rate declined to 13.6% by the end of 2024, down from 14.6% in 2023, according to the latest Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (Q4 Labour Statistics 2024) released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).

The modest one-percentage point drop reflects some progress in job creation. However, the data underscores a stubbornly high youth unemployment rate of 22.5% among individuals aged 15 to 35, highlighting ongoing challenges for first-time jobseekers and recent graduates despite the broader improvements.

Labour Market Expansion vs Absorption Limits

The report presents a complex picture: employment figures rose to 12.73 million people in Q4 2024, an increase of 1.15 million compared to the same period in 2023. However, the number of unemployed individuals also increased by approximately 200,000, indicating that while job opportunities are growing, labour-force expansion is outpacing job absorption.

This dynamic suggests improvements in employment opportunities, but also ongoing structural issues such as job quality, informality, and the economy’s limited capacity to integrate a growing and youthful workforce.

Gender Trends and Inequality

One notable development in Q4 2024 is the continued rise in female employment, which has consistently exceeded male employment. The employment gap between men and women has widened from about 632,000 in Q1 2022 to 1.12 million by Q4 2024, signaling strong labour participation among women.

Despite this, the survey highlights persistent gender and location-based disparities in both unemployment and underemployment, pointing to uneven access to formal, stable employment across the country.

Youth NEET Rates Still Worrying

The GSS also flagged high rates of NEET (Not in Employment, Education, or Training) among youth as a critical issue. The data identifies NEET status as a major contributor to long-term labour underutilisation and youth exclusion, particularly in rural and underserved communities.

SOURCE:citinewsroom.com