The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has raised concerns over the high rate of teenage pregnancy in the country, revealing that 15 per cent of girls aged between 15 and 19 have experienced pregnancy, while 11 per cent have already given birth.
The figures, drawn from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey (GDHS), were released as part of activities marking this year’s World Population Day.
The Service said the statistics highlight the urgent need for increased investment in the health, education and economic empowerment of young people.
According to the GSS, teenage pregnancy continues to have serious consequences for girls, often disrupting their education, limiting opportunities for skills acquisition and reducing their chances of participating fully in the country’s economy later in life.
The Service explained that empowering young people with quality education, healthcare and employable skills is critical if Ghana is to harness the full benefits of its growing youthful population.
This year’s World Population Day is being observed under the theme, “Investing in Ghana’s Future through Healthy, Skilled and Empowered Young People”.
The GSS noted that Ghana’s population has increased significantly over the past two decades, rising from 18.9 million in 2000 to 30.8 million in 2021, with projections placing the population at 33.7 million in 2025.
Young people aged 15 to 35 now make up about 36.9 per cent of the country’s population, meaning more than one in every three Ghanaians falls within the youth category.
According to the Statistical Service, this presents Ghana with a unique opportunity to achieve a demographic dividend, provided the right investments are made.
However, the GSS warned that youth unemployment remains a major obstacle. Data from the Quarterly Labour Force Survey for the first three quarters of 2025 showed that youth unemployment averaged 21.9 per cent, far above the national unemployment rate of 12.8 per cent.
Greater Accra, Central and Ashanti regions recorded the highest youth unemployment levels during the period.
The report also found that nearly two million young people, representing about 19.5 per cent of the youth population, were not in education, employment or training (NEET), raising concerns about their future prospects.
