The Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) has raised concerns about the impact of teenage pregnancy on Ghana’s growing youth population, cautioning that early pregnancies continue to affect girls’ education, skills development and future economic opportunities.

According to a GSS report released on July 28, 2026, to mark World Population Day, data from the 2022 Ghana Demographic and Health Survey shows that 15% of girls aged 15 to 19 have ever been pregnant.

The report further revealed that 11% of girls within the same age group had already given birth, highlighting the scale of teenage childbearing in the country.

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The GSS said early pregnancy often forces girls to interrupt their education, limiting their ability to acquire the skills needed to secure decent jobs and participate fully in the economy.

“15 percent of girls aged 15-19 had ever been pregnant, with 11 percent having given birth. Early pregnancy can interrupt education, limit opportunities for skills development, and reduce long-term economic participation, particularly among young women,” it stated.

The findings come as Ghana’s population continues to grow, increasing from 18.9 million in 2000 to 30.8 million at the 2021 Population and Housing Census, with projections putting the population at 33.7 million in 2025.

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Young people aged 15 to 35 now account for more than one-third of Ghana’s population, making them a key driver of the country’s future development.

The GSS said greater investment in health, education, skills development and employment opportunities will be essential to ensure Ghana’s growing youth population becomes an economic asset rather than a development challenge.

DR/MA