Ghana’s greatest risk in 2026 may be rising unemployment and a lack of economic opportunity, despite signs that inflationary pressures are cooling.
According to the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026, these concerns are followed closely by technological disruption and gaps in public services and infrastructure.
Drawing on responses from business executives in the 2025 Executive Opinion Survey, the report suggests that Ghana’s current recovery has yet to deliver meaningful job creation, especially for the country’s large and youthful labour force.
Economists warn that persistent unemployment could weaken household incomes, dampen consumption, and undermine long-term productivity.
The adverse impacts of artificial intelligence rank second, reflecting anxiety that the country’s digital transformation is advancing faster than skills development, regulation, and labour market adaptability.
While new technologies offer major opportunities, the report stresses that without focused reskilling and strong governance, automation may displace workers and worsen inequality.
The assessment also flags inadequate public services and social protection as major risks. Healthcare, education, transportation, and pensions all face growing strain, further complicated by limited fiscal space and rising population needs.
Declining health and well-being highlight the tight link between social outcomes and economic performance.
Although inflation has moderated, it remains a prominent risk due to its influence on the cost of living and planning certainty.
The WEF emphasised that tackling these challenges will require shifting from short-term stabilisation efforts toward job-led growth, investment in human capital, and more robust public service delivery.
Ghana’s unemployment rate fluctuates, but recent reports (late 2025) from the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) show figures around 13.0% – 13.6%, a decrease from higher rates in 2023 (around 14.7%), though youth unemployment and vulnerable jobs remain significant challenges, with high female joblessness.
