The data from the Ghana Statistical Service’s Annual Household Income and Expenditure Survey (AHIES) reveals a concerning trend in employment dynamics in Ghana.
Over 500,000 Ghanaians transitioned from employment to unemployment between 2022 and 2023, indicating a significant challenge in the country’s labor market.
According to the study, an unemployment spell is defined as an uninterrupted period during which a person remains unemployed despite having the capacity and willingness to work.
The data underscores the urgency of addressing unemployment issues through targeted policies and initiatives.
Professor Samuel Kobina Annim, the Government Statistician, highlighted that although there was a reduction in the number of unemployed individuals in the second and third quarters of 2023, approximately 752,000 people remained unemployed as of the third quarter of 2023.
The AHIES Labour Force Bulletin provides quarterly labor force statistics for individuals aged 15 and above, offering valuable insights into various aspects of the labor market, including mobility across labor force statuses, unemployment spells, and variations in employment and unemployment rates.
Given the concerning patterns in unemployment, there is a need for focused initiatives and approaches to address the changing dynamics of Ghana’s workforce.
The nationally representative data from AHIES is intended to inform policy and planning efforts aimed at addressing Ghana’s national labor force development priorities.