Govt urged to invest in youth to unlock demographic dividend

Ghana must prioritize sustained investments in the health, education, and skills development of its young people to effectively leverage its demographic dividend and accelerate inclusive economic growth, the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has urged.

With over a third of the population falling within the 15-35 age bracket, strategic investments are crucial to bridge the gap between education and employment. The GSS highlighted that young people now represent 36.9% of Ghana's projected population, up from 34.6% in 2000. This youthful demographic presents a significant opportunity for economic transformation through enhanced education, healthcare, technical training, and productive employment initiatives.

However, the GSS cautioned that significant challenges persist in the labor market for young Ghanaians. Data from late 2025 indicated a national unemployment rate of 12.8%, with youth unemployment soaring to 21.9%. Regional disparities are stark, with Greater Accra, the Central Region, and the Ashanti Region experiencing youth unemployment rates of 31.9%, 27.4%, and 27.2%, respectively.

Furthermore, nearly two million young people, or 19.5% of the youth population, were classified as Not in Education, Employment, or Training (NEET) by the third quarter of 2025. The GSS also raised concerns about teenage pregnancy, with 15% of girls aged 15-19 having been pregnant and 11% having already given birth by 2022, according to the Ghana Demographic and Health Survey. Early pregnancies often disrupt education and limit future labor market participation, particularly for young women.

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Investing in Ghana’s Future through Healthy, Skilled and Empowered Young People.