World Bank urges gov’t to urgently to tackle looming youth employment crisis

Paschal Donohoe, Managing Director and Chief Knowledge Officer at the World Bank Group, has called on Ghana and other developing countries to take decisive steps to address the growing number of young people expected to enter the labour market in the coming years.

He warned that many low- and middle-income countries are approaching a significant employment challenge, as millions of young people prepare to join the workforce without the necessary skills to secure meaningful jobs.

Mr Donohoe stressed that without sustained investment in education, training and skills development, a large proportion of this emerging workforce could face limited employment opportunities, with broader implications for economic growth and social stability.

He therefore urged governments, policymakers and educational institutions to prioritise reforms that equip young people with practical, job-ready skills aligned with the demands of a rapidly evolving global economy.

Addressing students at the University of Ghana, he highlighted the scale of the challenge, noting that foundational learning gaps remain widespread across developing nations.

“Across low- and middle-income countries today, seven in 10 ten-year-olds cannot read a simple, age-appropriate text. More than three billion adults have less than lower secondary education, and in the next decade alone, 1.2 billion young people will enter labour markets in developing countries, most without the skills. These are not just numbers; they are lives,” he said.

The engagement formed part of a broader visit aimed at interacting with young people on global economic trends, education and the future of work.

Mr Donohoe emphasised that the issues confronting Ghana are reflective of a wider global pattern, underscoring the need for coordinated and forward-looking policy responses across developing economies.

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