Ghana’s unemployment rate has declined slightly to 13.6%, down from 14.6% in 2024, according to the latest data released by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS).
The figures, presented in the Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey: Q4 Labour Statistics Report (2024), mark a modest one-percentage point improvement in the country’s employment landscape.
However, the GSS cautioned that the drop in unemployment does not tell the full story—especially for youth and first-time jobseekers. The report highlights that 22.5% of individuals aged 15 to 35 remain unemployed, reflecting ongoing struggles among graduates and young entrants to secure stable and sustainable employment.
Key Employment Trends
- Total employment reached 12.73 million in the fourth quarter of 2024—an increase of 1.15 million jobs compared to the same period in 2023.
- Unemployment numbers, however, also rose by approximately 200,000 year-on-year, indicating that the labour force is growing faster than job creation.
- Analysts suggest this points to underlying structural challenges in Ghana’s economy, which continues to struggle to provide high-quality jobs at the rate required to absorb new labour market entrants.
Gender Disparities in Employment
The report also revealed a growing gender gap in employment. Throughout 2024, female employment consistently outpaced male employment, with the gap widening significantly—from 632,000 in Q1 2022 to about 1.12 million in Q4 2024.
While this indicates strong labour force participation by women, the GSS notes persistent disparities in job quality, stability, and access to formal employment, particularly for both women and men.
Despite the drop in the national unemployment rate, the data underscores a crucial reality: youth unemployment and labour market inequalities remain critical challenges for Ghana’s long-term economic development.
Source: GhPage.com
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