Data centre · Economy

Jobs and the labour market in Ghana, 1992–2025

How many Ghanaians work, how many are looking for work, and which parts of the economy employ them, on one consistent annual basis since 1992.

Ghana Statistical Service; International Labour Organization (ILO) · 1992–2025 · Annual

Geographic level: National
Update cadence: Annual
Licence: Publisher terms apply
Latest source: See source notes

Evidence classification

Published source records and estimates are labelled at figure level

Figure 01

Share of adults (15+) in work

Employed people as a share of everyone aged 15 and over.

Year	%
1992	69.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	69.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	68.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	68.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	67.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	67.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	66.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	65.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	64.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	65.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	66.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	66.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	67.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	68.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	68.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	68.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	68.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	68.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	68.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	68.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	69.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	70.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	67.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	64.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	64.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	64.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	63.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	61.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	59.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	58.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	57.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	57.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	57.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	56.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank

Figure 02

Labour force participation

People aged 15+ who are working or actively looking for work.

Year	%
1992	73.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	72.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	72.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	72.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	72.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	72.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	72.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	72.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	72.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	72.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	72.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	72.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	72.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	72.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	72.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	72.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	72.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	71.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	71.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	71.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	71.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	71.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	70.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	69.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	68.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	66.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	65.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	63.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	61.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	60.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	59.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	59.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	59.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	58.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank

Figure 03

Unemployment rate

Share of the labour force without work and looking for it (ILO definition).

Year	%
1992	4.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	5.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	5.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	6.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	7.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	7.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	8.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	10.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	10.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	9.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	8.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	7.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	6.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	5.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	4.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	5.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	5.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	5.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	5.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	4.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	3.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	2.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	4.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	6.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	5.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	3.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	3.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	3.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	3.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	3.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	2.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	2.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	2.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	3.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank

Figure 04

Youth unemployment (ages 15–24)

Unemployment among young people aged 15–24.

Year	%
1992	7.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	8.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	9.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	10.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	11.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	12.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	12.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	15.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	16.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	15.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	14.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	13.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	11.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	10.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	9.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	10.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	10.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	10.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	11.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	8.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	6.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	4.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	9.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	14.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	10.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	6.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	6.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	5.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	6.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	6.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	5.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	5.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	5.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	5.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank

Figure 05

Unemployment among women

Share of the female labour force without work and looking for it.

Year	%
1992	5.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	6.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	6.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	7.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	7.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	8.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	8.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	10.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	10.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	9.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	9.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	8.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	7.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	6.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	5.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	5.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	5.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	5.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	5.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	4.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	3.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	2.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	4.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	6.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	5.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	3.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	3.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	3.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	3.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	3.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	3.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	3.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	3.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	3.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank

Figure 06

Vulnerable employment

Own-account and unpaid family workers as a share of all employment — work usually without contracts or social protection.

Year	%
1992	84.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	83.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	82.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	81.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	80.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	79.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	78.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	77.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	77.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	76.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	76.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	76.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	75.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	75.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	74.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	74.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	74.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	73.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	73.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	72.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	72.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	71.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	71.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	70.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	69.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	67.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	65.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	63.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	63.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	61.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	60.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	60.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	60.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	60.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank

Figure 07

Where people work: agriculture, industry, services

Share of all employment in each broad sector. The three add up to about 100%.

Year	Group	%
1992	Services	19.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1992	Industry	9.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1992	Agriculture	71.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	Agriculture	70.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	Industry	9.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1993	Services	19.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	Services	20.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	Industry	10.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1994	Agriculture	69.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	Services	20.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	Industry	10.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1995	Agriculture	68.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	Industry	11.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	Services	21.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1996	Agriculture	67.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	Industry	11.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	Services	21.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1997	Agriculture	66.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	Services	22.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	Industry	12.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1998	Agriculture	65.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	Services	22.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	Industry	12.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
1999	Agriculture	64.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	Services	22.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	Agriculture	64.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2000	Industry	13.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	Services	23.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	Industry	13.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2001	Agriculture	63.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	Agriculture	63.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	Industry	13.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2002	Services	23.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	Industry	13.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	Agriculture	62.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2003	Services	24.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	Industry	13.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	Services	24.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2004	Agriculture	62.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	Services	24.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	Agriculture	61.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2005	Industry	13.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	Agriculture	60.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	Industry	14.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2006	Services	25.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	Services	27.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	Industry	14.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2007	Agriculture	58.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	Agriculture	55.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	Services	30.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2008	Industry	14.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	Services	33.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	Industry	14.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2009	Agriculture	52.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	Industry	15.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	Agriculture	48.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2010	Services	36.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	Agriculture	47.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	Industry	16.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2011	Services	36.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	Industry	16.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	Services	37.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2012	Agriculture	45.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	Industry	17.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	Services	38.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2013	Agriculture	44.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	Industry	17.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	Services	38.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2014	Agriculture	43.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	Industry	17.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	Agriculture	43.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2015	Services	39.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	Agriculture	42.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	Services	39.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2016	Industry	17.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	Agriculture	42.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	Industry	17.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2017	Services	40.5%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	Agriculture	39.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	Industry	16.8%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2018	Services	43.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	Services	46.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	Industry	16.1%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2019	Agriculture	37.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	Agriculture	37.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	Services	47.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2020	Industry	15.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	Industry	14.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	Services	49.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2021	Agriculture	36.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	Services	46.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	Industry	17.7%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2022	Agriculture	36.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	Industry	17.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	Agriculture	36.0%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2023	Services	46.4%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	Industry	17.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	Services	46.9%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2024	Agriculture	35.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	Services	47.2%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	Agriculture	34.6%International Labour Organization / World Bank
2025	Industry	18.3%International Labour Organization / World Bank

Sources

Every figure on this page is linked to a named publisher. Official counts, survey results and modelled estimates remain visibly distinct in the figure and source notes.

Ghana Statistical Service
Ghana Labour Force Survey and Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey
The national surveys that measure employment directly. Survey rounds are infrequent, so they cannot give a year-by-year series on their own.
International Labour Organization / World Bank
ILO modelled estimates — Ghana (World Development Indicators)
Annual estimates the ILO builds from Ghana's survey rounds so every year can be compared. Values between surveys are modelled, not counted, and are revised when new surveys appear.

Attribution: Ghana Statistical Service; International Labour Organization (ILO)