According to Labor Minister Vedat Işıkhan, unemployment is at its lowest level since 2012

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan announced that the unemployment rate fell to 8.2 percent in the first quarter of 2026, marking the lowest level since 2012. While youth unemployment maintained its low trend at 15.2 percent, the number of unemployed people decreased by 52 thousand on a quarterly basis.

Minister of Labor and Social Security Vedat Işıkhan evaluated the current figures regarding unemployment rates across Turkey. Minister Işıkhan stated that the unemployment rate declined to 8.2 percent in the first three-month period of this year, noting that this level is the lowest rate seen since 2012.

''UNEMPLOYMENT RATE IN THE 15-24 AGE GROUP IS 15.2''

Emphasizing the development in the youth unemployment rate, Işıkhan noted that unemployment in the 15-24 age group fell to 15.2 percent, which is also the lowest point since 2012.

According to the Minister's statement, the number of unemployed people in the first quarter of 2026 decreased by 52 thousand compared to the previous period, falling to a total of 2 million 894 thousand people. The unemployment rate recorded a 0.1 percentage point drop on a quarterly basis, reaching 8.2 percent. A similar improvement was experienced in female unemployment; unemployment among women decreased by 0.1 percentage points compared to the first quarter of 2025, falling to 11.1 percent.

An increase was recorded in the number of employed people. Total employment reached 32 million 221 thousand people in the first quarter, with an employment rate of 48.3 percent. In the same period, the labor force was determined to be 35 million 116 thousand people, and the labor force participation rate was measured at 52.6 percent.

Minister Işıkhan also provided information about new programs that will contribute to the improvement in the labor market. He stated, "We will continue to implement our programs such as 'Job Positive' (İş Pozitif) and 'POWER' (GÜÇ), which will bring idle labor into working life and facilitate the participation of disadvantaged groups in the labor force. As our permanent, registered, and qualified employment strengthens, Turkey will strengthen."

News Source: 12punto