UNFPA: youth want families, but jobs lag
Most young Ghanaians still dream of marriage and parenthood, but the reality of unstable jobs and financial insecurity is forcing many to put those aspirations on hold. That is the central message emerging from the United Nations Population Fund’s Lives, Choices and Futures report, released to mark World Population Day 2026.
The survey, which polled more than 108,000 young adults across 73 countries, found that two‑thirds of respondents aged 18 to 39 want to marry, and only a small minority reject the idea of having children. Yet nearly nine in ten said financial security and stable employment are prerequisites before starting a family. UNFPA’s Executive Director Diene Keita described the findings as “striking,” noting that when economic barriers are removed, young people are more able to make “the choices that are right for them.”
For Ghana, the results carry particular weight. With more than half of its 33 million citizens under 25, the country’s youthful population is often described as a potential demographic dividend. But experts warn that without sustained investment in education, healthcare and decent jobs, the dividend could slip away, leaving young people unable to translate their hopes into reality.
The report also challenges assumptions that younger generations are turning away from family life. Eight in ten respondents cited the joy children bring as their main motivation, while government incentives ranked among the least influential factors. In West and Central Africa, including Ghana, respondents expressed a preference for larger families compared to other regions.
At the same time, Ghana’s reproductive health indicators reveal persistent gaps. Modern contraceptive use among married women stands at 27.8%, with nearly a quarter reporting unmet need. Maternal mortality, though improved from two decades ago, remains far above global targets. Local providers such as MSI Reproductive Choices Ghana continue to record strong demand for services, with young people accounting for more than a third of visits in the first half of 2026.
Globally, UNFPA says the survey reflects a pattern in which financial security, employment and emotional readiness shape decisions about marriage and parenthood. Despite economic uncertainty and inequality, two‑thirds of respondents remain optimistic about their future. The organisation argues that sustained investment in social protection, housing, reproductive healthcare and jobs is essential if young people are to achieve their aspirations and contribute to long‑term national development.
Source: myjoyonline.com
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