Ghana Records 2.64 Million Businesses in Landmark IBES I Survey – GSS
The Ghana Statistical Service has revealed that Ghana recorded a total of 2.64 million businesses in 2024, according to findings from the Integrated Business Establishment Survey (IBES I), a survey which offers one of the most comprehensive pictures of the country’s enterprise landscape to date.
The Government Statistician, Dr. Alhassan Iddrisu, disclosed that out of the total number of businesses, 1.87 million,representing 70.6%,operate from fixed structures. Meanwhile, 693,748 businesses (26.2%) operate in open spaces, and 82,920 (3.1%) are mobile businesses.
According to the survey, nearly 700,000 businesses operating in open spaces employ more than 922,000 people across the country. This underscores their critical role in job creation and service delivery at the community level.
The data further reveals that women play a dominant role in the open-space business ecosystem. They account for nearly 80% of workers and an estimated 84% of business owners in this sector nationwide.
The survey also shows that open-space businesses are overwhelmingly Ghanaian-owned, with more than 99% under local ownership. This positions the sector as a strong foundation for domestic enterprise and grassroots economic growth.
The Ghana Statistical Service further reports that Ghana has 82,920 mobile business operators, highlighting the growing importance of mobile trade within the country’s economic landscape. Notably, 77% of these operators are women, while over 60% are youth, making mobile businesses one of the most accessible pathways into employment and entrepreneurship, particularly for young people seeking flexible and low-barrier entry into the world of work.
The Ghana Statistical Service emphasized that the IBES I findings will play a crucial role in shaping inclusive policies that recognize and support all forms of businesses within the economy.
About The Author
