Turkey labor market shifts as service sector grows and industry declines

Data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for the second quarter reveals a significant shift in the labor market, characterized by growth in the service sector and a decline in industrial employment.

According to seasonally adjusted figures, the service sector saw an increase of 240,000 employees, while the industrial sector experienced a loss of 121,000 jobs. Other sectors also saw growth, with agriculture adding 10,000 jobs and construction adding 25,000.

The service sector now accounts for 59.8% of total employment, up from 58.9% during the same period last year. Conversely, the industrial sector's share of employment fell to 19.7% from 20% the previous year.

Regarding unemployment, the narrow definition rate stood at 7.9%, while the broad definition rate reached 29.9%. Among the youth population, the seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 13.9%, with an employment rate of 48.5% and a labor force participation rate of 52.7%.