Unemployment Rate in Ghana increased to 3.60 percent in 2023 from 3.50 percent in 2022. This dataset provides - Ghana Unemployment Rate - actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

In 2020, the unemployment rate in Ghana was at approximately 3.06 percent of the total labor force. The unemployment rate is the percentage of a country's labor force that are without jobs but are available to work and actively seeking employment. Ghana’s unemployment rate is above the worldwide unemployment rate, and compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries and other regions, Ghana has a relatively average rate of unemployment. Ghana’s population Due to the nature of its economy and its population size of over 30 million people, Ghana’s estimated GDP per capita amounts to just over 2,200 U.S. dollars in 2018 and forecast to rise continually over the next few years. Almost half of the country’s population works in the services sector, and around 33 percent work in agriculture. The population is relatively young, with only around 3 percent of the total population aged 65 years or older. Ghana’s hopeful future One of the most important economic centers of its region, Ghana’s GDP is at over 65 billion U.S. dollars, and it is projected to grow to over 97 billion U.S. dollars by 2024. Ghana is a country with several valuable natural resources, including gold, petroleum, cocoa, and natural gas. The country’s economy is particularly focused on manufacturing and exporting digital technology goods, and industrial materials. Ghana utilizes these exports domestically as well; its mixed economy is increasingly digital based. A regional leader, it has the goal of being the first African nation to become a developed country in the next decade. There are several positive indications encouraging this possibility, such as that GDP has grown each year, albeit at inconsistent rates.

The total unemployed population in Ghana was estimated to reach some 592,000 in 2024, slightly increasing from the preceding year, when around 582,000 people were not in any form of employment. In 2015, the peak of unemployment was observed in the country. Overall, the rate of unemployment has been following a downward trend.

Unemployment, total (% of total labor force) (modeled ILO estimate) in Ghana was reported at 3.063 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Unemployment, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Ghana Unemployment Rate: Female data was reported at 17.718 % in Sep 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 17.546 % for Jun 2023. Ghana Unemployment Rate: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 16.585 % from Mar 2022 (Median) to Sep 2023, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.193 % in Mar 2023 and a record low of 12.320 % in Dec 2022. Ghana Unemployment Rate: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ghana Statistical Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.G011: Unemployment Rate: Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

The youth unemployment rate in Ghana saw no significant changes in 2023 in comparison to the previous year 2022 and remained at around 5.5 percent. Still, 2023 marked the third consecutive decline of the youth unemployment rate. The youth unemployment rate refers to the share of the economically active population aged 15 to 24 currently without work but in search of employment. The youth unemployment rate does not include economically inactive persons such as the long-term unemployed or full-time students.Find more statistics on other topics about Ghana with key insights such as labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64, labor force participation rate for males, and employment level in services as a share of total employment.

Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) (modeled ILO estimate) in Ghana was reported at 5.617 % in 2023, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Ghana - Unemployment, youth male (% of male labor force ages 15-24) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on March of 2025.

Ghana Unemployment Rate: Rural data was reported at 9.781 % in Sep 2023. This records a decrease from the previous number of 9.810 % for Jun 2023. Ghana Unemployment Rate: Rural data is updated quarterly, averaging 10.206 % from Mar 2022 (Median) to Sep 2023, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.679 % in Jun 2022 and a record low of 7.625 % in Dec 2022. Ghana Unemployment Rate: Rural data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ghana Statistical Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.G011: Unemployment Rate: Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

In 2024, the unemployed male population in Ghana was estimated at around 295,500. On the other hand, the female population without any form of employment was projected to be slightly higher, at approximately 297,000. The number of people of working age who are not in employment has fluctuated since 2010. In 2015, the rate of unemployment in Ghana reached a peak of nearly seven percent.

Ghana Unemployment Rate: Urban: Male data was reported at 14.418 % in Sep 2023. This records an increase from the previous number of 14.195 % for Jun 2023. Ghana Unemployment Rate: Urban: Male data is updated quarterly, averaging 13.047 % from Mar 2022 (Median) to Sep 2023, with 7 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.808 % in Jun 2022 and a record low of 12.445 % in Sep 2022. Ghana Unemployment Rate: Urban: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ghana Statistical Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.G011: Unemployment Rate: Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey.

Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above: Urban data was reported at 13.400 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 6.500 % for 2013. Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above: Urban data is updated yearly, averaging 6.500 % from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13.400 % in 2015 and a record low of 6.300 % in 2006. Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above: Urban data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ghana Statistical Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.G006: Unemployment Rate: Labour Force Survey.

Ghana unemployment rate for 2023 was 3.08%, a 0% increase from 2022.

• Ghana unemployment rate for 2022 was 3.08%, a 0.25% decline from 2021.
• Ghana unemployment rate for 2021 was 3.34%, a 0.05% increase from 2020.
• Ghana unemployment rate for 2020 was 3.29%, a 0.13% increase from 2019.

Ghana youth unemployment rate for 2023 was 5.50%, a 0.01% decline from 2022.

• Ghana youth unemployment rate for 2022 was 5.51%, a 0.42% decline from 2021.
• Ghana youth unemployment rate for 2021 was 5.93%, a 0.27% decline from 2020.
• Ghana youth unemployment rate for 2020 was 6.21%, a 0.33% increase from 2019.

ghana - Youth Unemployment Rate for Ghana was 9.46% in January of 2020, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, ghana - Youth Unemployment Rate for Ghana reached a record high of 16.26 in January of 2000 and a record low of 7.55 in January of 1991. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for ghana - Youth Unemployment Rate for Ghana - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on March of 2025.

In 2022, the labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64 in Ghana remained nearly unchanged at around 70.58 percent. Nevertheless, this was the first time during the observed period that the labor participation rate increased in Ghana. The labor force participation rate refers to the share of the population aged 15 years and over who are economically active. Unemployed people actively searching for work are included, whereas the long-term unemployed (economically inactive) are not. It is calculated by dividing the total number of workers aged 15 and over by the total population aged 15 and over.Find more statistics on other topics about Ghana with key insights such as labor force participation rate for males, employment level in services as a share of total employment, and youth unemployment rate.

Ghana GH: Unemployment Rate data was reported at 5.200 % in 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 3.600 % for 2008. Ghana GH: Unemployment Rate data is updated yearly, averaging 4.400 % from Dec 2008 (Median) to 2013, with 2 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 5.200 % in 2013 and a record low of 3.600 % in 2008. Ghana GH: Unemployment Rate data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by International Monetary Fund. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.IMF.IFS: Labour Force, Employment and Unemployment: Annual.

Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above: Rural: Female data was reported at 11.300 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.100 % for 2013. Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above: Rural: Female data is updated yearly, averaging 4.100 % from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.300 % in 2015 and a record low of 1.700 % in 2006. Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above: Rural: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ghana Statistical Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.G006: Unemployment Rate: Labour Force Survey.

In 2020, the unemployed population in Ghana aged 25 years or older was estimated at around 376,000. On the other hand, the population between 15-24 years without any form of employment was projected to be slightly lower, at approximately 245,000. Overall, the rate of unemployment in Ghana has been fluctuated in the period observed, reaching a peak in 2015.

Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above data was reported at 11.900 % in 2015. This records an increase from the previous number of 5.200 % for 2013. Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 5.200 % from Dec 2006 (Median) to 2015, with 3 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 11.900 % in 2015 and a record low of 3.600 % in 2006. Ghana Unemployment Rate: 15 Years and Above data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Ghana Statistical Service. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Ghana – Table GH.G006: Unemployment Rate: Labour Force Survey. Unemployment rate is computed based on persons who within the reference period, were without jobs and were “potentially” available for jobs.

South Africa is expected to register the highest unemployment rate in Africa in 2024, with around 30 percent of the country's labor force being unemployed. Djibouti and Eswatini followed, with unemployment reaching roughly 28 percent and 25 percent, respectively. On the other hand, the lowest unemployment rates in Africa were in Niger and Burundi. The continent’s average stood at roughly seven percent in the same year.

Large shares of youth among the unemployed

Due to several educational, socio-demographic, and economic factors, the young population is more likely to face unemployment in most regions of the world. In 2024, the youth unemployment rate in Africa was projected at around 11 percent. The situation was particularly critical in certain countries. In 2022, Djibouti recorded a youth unemployment rate of almost 80 percent, the highest rate on the continent. South Africa followed, with around 52 percent of the young labor force being unemployed.

Wide disparities in female unemployment

Women are another demographic group often facing high unemployment. In Africa, the female unemployment rate stood at roughly eight percent in 2023, compared to 6.6 percent among men. The average female unemployment on the continent was not particularly high. However, there were significant disparities among African countries. Djibouti and South Africa topped the ranking once again in 2022, with female unemployment rates of around 38 percent and 31 percent, respectively. In contrast, Niger, Burundi, and Chad were far below Africa’s average, as only roughly one percent or lower of the women in the labor force were unemployed.