Ghana Youth Unemployment
Youth unemployment (ages 15-24) SL.UEM.1524.ZS
Ghana's youth unemployment was 5.83% in 2025, ranked 31st globally. This represents a 9.0% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Ghana's youth unemployment stood at 5.83% in 2025, a rise of +0.48pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 5.47% by 2026. Ghana ranked 31st globally.
Ghana’s youth unemployment rate has shown considerable volatility over the 35‑year span covered by the World Bank series, rising from 5.56 % in 1991 to a dramatic all‑time peak of 16.42 % in 2000 before falling to its lowest point of 4.72 % in 2013. By 2025 the rate had risen again to 5.83 %, placing Ghana 31st globally and slightly above Mexico’s 5.71 % and Bahrain’s 5.42 % among its closest peers. The early‑2000s surge coincided with structural adjustments and a slowdown in formal sector growth, while the post‑2013 decline reflected expanded vocational training and modest private‑sector job creation. Recent modest increases suggest that the economy’s reliance on informal employment and limited access to credit for young entrepreneurs continue to constrain progress. Strengthening skills development programmes and improving linkages between education and emerging industries could reverse the upward drift and sustain a downward trajectory in youth unemployment.
Data & projection
| Year | Youth Unemployment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 5.40% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 5.43% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 5.47% | - | - |
| 2025 | 5.83% | +0.48pp | #31 |
| 2024 | 5.35% | −0.00pp | #28 |
| 2023 | 5.35% | −0.05pp | #29 |
| 2022 | 5.40% | −0.58pp | #26 |
| 2021 | 5.99% | −0.33pp | #26 |
| 2020 | 6.32% | +0.44pp | #26 |
| 2019 | 5.88% | −0.23pp | #32 |
| 2018 | 6.11% | −0.27pp | #30 |
| 2017 | 6.38% | −4.24pp | #30 |
| 2016 | 10.62% | −3.62pp | #69 |
| 2015 | 14.24% | +4.93pp | #92 |
| 2014 | 9.31% | +4.59pp | #57 |
| 2013 | 4.72% | −1.95pp | #22 |
| 2012 | 6.66% | −2.14pp | #32 |
| 2011 | 8.81% | −2.25pp | #52 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Ghana matched the Currency Crisis Pattern pattern in 2023. Historically, 27% of countries showing this pattern (35 out of 128) saw youth unemployment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Ghana's youth unemployment was 5.83% in 2025. Ranked 31st globally. This represents a 9.0% increase from the previous year.
Ghana's youth unemployment peaked at 16.42% in 2000.
The lowest youth unemployment in Ghana was 4.72% in 2013.
Ghana ranks 31st globally in youth unemployment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.UEM.1524.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Ghana's youth unemployment is projected to reach 5.47% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The youth unemployment of Ghana in 2025 was 5.83%. This ranks 31st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_ghana_youth-unemployment,
title = {Ghana Youth Unemployment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/ghana/youth-unemployment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}