Nearly Two Million Ghanaian Youth Classified as NEET, Women Over 60% of Group

Ghana's Statistical Service reported that nearly two million young people aged 15 to 35 were not employed, in education or training in the third quarter of 2025. The group, classified as NEET (Not in Employment, Education or Training), represented 17.9% of the youth population during the first three quarters of the year.

Women and regional disparities

Women accounted for more than 60% of the NEET cohort. The Central Region recorded the highest NEET rate at 25.3%, roughly one in four youths, while urban areas showed a rate of 20.6% compared with 18% in rural communities.

“Close to two million young people are neither working nor in education or training, what we refer to as the NEET group, and more than six in ten of them are young women,” said Government Statistician Dr Alhassan Iddrisu.

The findings come as Ghana's youth population is estimated at 12 million in 2025, about one‑third of the country's total population. The GSS highlighted that the NEET classification captures individuals who are not actively seeking work and are disconnected from both the labour market and skill‑development opportunities.

The Statistical Service said future editions of its “Ghana in Numbers” series will continue to monitor youth unemployment, NEET rates, informal employment and the alignment between education programmes and labour‑market demand.