Minister of Trade Bolat stated, “With the rapid implementation of structural reforms following the announcement of the 2024-2026 Medium-Term Program shortly after our government was formed, it is clearly seen that our unemployment rate has declined.”
Minister of Trade Ömer Bolat emphasized that it is clearly observed that the unemployment rate has decreased as a result of the rapid implementation of structural reforms with the Medium-Term Program (MTP), stating, “With the steps to be taken in the upcoming period, as our production increases, our exports will also increase, thus the unemployment problem will be largely reduced.”
Bolat, in his written statement, evaluated the unemployment figures announced by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for the year 2023.
Bolat stated that unemployment occurred at the lowest level in the last 10 years with 9.4%, indicating that despite many adversities experienced by Turkey and the devastating earthquake disaster on February 6th, the positive trend continued.
Bolat reminded that the unemployment rate was 8.9% in 2013, 9.9% in 2014, and 10.4% in 2022.
Bolat pointed out that the total number of employed individuals increased by 880 thousand people last year, reaching 31 million 632 thousand. He provided information, saying, “In the Turkish economy, there has been a new employment of 12 million 275 thousand people compared to 2005. The positive momentum towards reducing the unemployment rate has continued in 2023. Our employment rate increased by 0.8 percentage points compared to the previous year, reaching 48.3%. From 2005 to 2023, the employment rate increased by 8.3 percentage points.”
“Advancements in the industrial sector are reflected in labor statistics” Bolat expressed that the share of agricultural employment in total employment was 25.5% with 4 million 945 thousand people in 2005, and 14.8% with 4 million 695 thousand people last year.
Referring to the share of industrial employment in total employment, which was 21.4% in 2005, construction employment was 5.7%, and services employment was 47.4%, Bolat stated that these rates were 21.2%, 6.3%, and 57.6% respectively last year.
Bolat emphasized the significant reflection of Turkey’s advancements in the industrial sector on labor statistics, stating, “The contribution of the Turkish construction and building sector to employment is clearly seen. Additionally, these data serve as a clear indicator of economic growth in the services sector.”
“We will continue to work with all our might” Bolat pointed out that the labor force participation rate was 53.3% last year, with an increase of 0.2 percentage points, indicating an increase of 9.2 percentage points compared to 2005.
Bolat conveyed that the labor force participation rate for women was 35.8% last year, with an increase of 0.7 percentage points, which was recorded as 21.3% in 2005.
Assessing the workforce in terms of men and women, Bolat provided the information, “In 2023, employment in men increased by 6 million 792 thousand people compared to 2005, reaching 21 million 286 thousand. In women, employment increased by 5 million 573 thousand people last year compared to 2005, reaching 10 million 346 thousand.”
Bolat underscored their appreciation for women’s presence in the workforce, stating:
“It is clearly seen that our unemployment rate has declined with the rapid implementation of structural reforms following the announcement of the 2024-2026 Medium-Term Program shortly after our government was formed. With the steps to be taken in the upcoming period, as our production increases, our exports will also increase, thus the unemployment problem will be largely reduced. We will continue to work with all our might for this goal.”
source: aa.com.tr/ prepared by Melisa Beğiç