Ghana: jobs and pay

What is the youth unemployment rate in Ghana?

Unemployment among Ghanaians aged 15 to 35 averaged 21.9% over the first three quarters of 2025, nearly twice the national rate of 12.8%, according to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), using its Quarterly Labour Force Survey. Greater Accra (31.9%), Central (27.4%) and Ashanti (27.2%) had youth rates above the national youth average in all three quarters. About 19.5% of young people, nearly two million, were not in education, employment or training in the third quarter of 2025.

Ghana defines youth as ages 15 to 35, wider than the 15 to 24 band used in many international comparisons, so its youth rate is not directly comparable with other countries. Young people make up 36.9% of the population, the GSS says.

Official sources: Ghana Statistical Service: More than one-third of Ghana's population is youth

What is the minimum wage in Ghana?

Ghana's national daily minimum wage is GH₵21.77 for 2026, from 1 January to 31 December, according to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. The National Tripartite Committee agreed a 9% increase from GH₵19.97 in November 2025. Government also approved a 9% pay increase for public sector workers on the Single Spine Salary Structure for 2026.

The minimum wage is a daily rate and is the legal floor for workers in both the public and private sectors. It is set each year by the National Tripartite Committee of government, organised labour and employers. Monthly earnings at the minimum depend on the number of days worked.

Official sources: Fair Wages and Salaries Commission: government and labour unions agree on 9% salary increase

How much is the public sector pay rise in Ghana?

Public sector workers on Ghana's Single Spine Salary Structure received a 9% increase in base pay for 2026, under an agreement signed on 9 November 2025 between the government and organised labour, according to the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission. The Ministry of Finance's 2026 Budget Statement projects compensation of employees, covering wages, salaries, pensions, gratuities and social security contributions, at GH₵90.8 billion, or 5.7% of GDP, in 2026.

The Single Spine Salary Structure covers most public servants, including teachers, nurses and civil servants. The 2027 Fiscal Strategy Document projects compensation of GH₵104.1 billion in 2027, equal to 39.5% of tax revenue.

Official sources: Fair Wages and Salaries Commission: government and labour unions agree on 9% salary increase · Ministry of Finance: 2026 Budget Statement · Ministry of Finance: 2027 Fiscal Strategy Document

What is the pension age in Ghana?

The full SSNIT pension age in Ghana is 60, according to the Social Security and National Insurance Trust (SSNIT). Members can retire voluntarily from age 55 on a reduced pension. To qualify, a member must have contributed for at least 180 months under the National Pensions Act (Act 766), or 240 months under the older PNDC Law 247. 180 months of contributions earn a minimum pension right of 37.5% and 420 months the maximum of 60%.

The pension right is the share of the member's earlier earnings that the pension replaces. SSNIT runs the basic national pension scheme, and its old-age benefit page sets out the qualifying rules.

Official sources: SSNIT: superannuation (old age) pension

How many young Ghanaians are not in work or education?

About 19.5% of Ghanaians aged 15 to 35, nearly two million young people, were not in education, employment or training (NEET) in the third quarter of 2025, according to the Ghana Statistical Service. Youth unemployment averaged 21.9% over the first three quarters of 2025. For ages 15 to 24, the World Bank puts the unemployment rate at 5.8% in 2025, using an International Labour Organization modelled estimate.

The NEET rate includes young people who are not looking for work, so it captures more than unemployment. The two youth unemployment figures differ because the GSS covers ages 15 to 35 using its own survey, while the World Bank figure covers ages 15 to 24 and is modelled for international comparison.

Official sources: Ghana Statistical Service: More than one-third of Ghana's population is youth · World Bank: youth unemployment, Ghana (ILO modelled estimate)

What is Ghana's minimum wage?

472 GHS a month (about $33): that is the statutory minimum wage in Ghana for 2024, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How much do workers in Ghana earn on average?

According to the ILO, average monthly earnings of employees in Ghana was $217 a month in 2025. The peak was $316 a month in 2013 and the low $182 a month in 2024. Worldwide: 55th of 57.

What is Ghana's unemployment rate?

In 2025, the unemployment rate in Ghana was 3.0%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 2.2% (2013) to 6.8% (2015). Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.2%; Ghana is 33rd highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 137th of 174.

What is the youth unemployment rate in Ghana?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Ghana was 5.8% in 2025. The peak was 14.2% in 2015 and the low 4.7% in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 8.8%, and Ghana placed 29th highest of 45. World rank, highest first: 143rd of 174.

How many people in Ghana are working or looking for work?

According to the ILO, the labour force participation rate in Ghana was 58.5% in 2025. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 64.3%, and Ghana placed 31st highest of 45. Worldwide: 112th of 174.

How many women in Ghana are working or looking for work?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 55.3%. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 27th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 57.3%. Worldwide: 76th of 174.

What share of adults in Ghana have a job?

56.8%: that is the employment to population ratio in Ghana for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the lowest since at least 2005. It is 25th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 58.8%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 94th highest.

How common is self-employment in Ghana?

The ILO puts the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Ghana at 60.0% in 2025. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 29th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 67.6%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 39th highest.

How many people in Ghana are employees?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2025, is 32.5%. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 19th highest of 45 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 29.0%. Worldwide: 139th of 174.