More than 1.3 million young Ghanaians were out of work, school, or training in the third quarter of 2025, according to new data from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The figures highlight persistent labour market pressures and a widening skills gap among the nation’s youth.
The data show that 1.3 million people aged 15 to 24, representing 21.5 per cent of the age group—were classified as not in education, employment, or training (NEET), fueling growing concerns about youth disengagement from productive economic activity.
Sharp regional disparities emerged, with NEET rates among 15- to 35-year-olds ranging from 25.3 per cent in the Central Region to just 9.5 per cent in the Oti Region. This points to uneven access to jobs, education, and training opportunities across the country.
Labour underutilisation also remains high, with about one in five employed persons considered underutilised. The composite labour underutilisation rate stood at 23.0 per cent in the second quarter and edged up slightly to 23.4 per cent in the third quarter, with little difference across gender or locality.
Underemployment was more pronounced in rural areas, averaging 15.3 per cent in the second quarter and 14.9 per cent in the third, compared to 9.5 per cent and 9.7 per cent, respectively, in urban centres.
The GSS data point to persistent skills and education mismatches in the labour market. In the third quarter, 65.8 per cent of employed persons said their skills matched job requirements, but over 10 per cent felt over-skilled—especially men and urban workers. Another 3.3 per cent reported having skills below job requirements, a trend highest among men and rural workers.
Education mismatch followed a similar pattern, with 58.4 per cent of workers stating their education level matched their jobs. However, 8.2 per cent felt overqualified and 15.7 per cent underqualified, with under-qualification most prevalent in rural areas.
Youth unemployment rates remained well above the national average. In the second and third quarters, unemployment averaged 32.5 per cent among those aged 15 to 24 and 21.9 per cent among people aged 15 to 35. Greater Accra recorded the highest youth unemployment rates in the third quarter, while Bono East posted the lowest, underscoring the concentration of youth joblessness in urban hubs.
The GSS stressed that these findings underscore the urgent need for targeted skills development, job creation, and regional interventions to help absorb Ghana’s growing youth population into productive employment.
Source: Apexnewsgh.com
