Unemployment rate falls in the first quarter

While there was a slight decline in unemployment in the first quarter of 2026, decreases were observed in employment and labor force participation rates. The youth unemployment rate remained high.

In the first three months of 2026, the number of unemployed persons aged 15 and over in Turkey decreased by 52 thousand, falling to a total of 2 million 894 thousand. The unemployment rate was recorded at 8.2 percent, a 0.1 percentage point decrease compared to the previous quarter. The unemployment rate was 6.8 percent for men, while it stood at 11.1 percent for women.

On the employment side, there was a notable decrease in the first quarter of the year. The number of employed persons fell by 301 thousand to 32 million 221 thousand. Consequently, the employment rate declined to 48.3 percent. When broken down by gender, the employment rate was reported as 65.7 percent for men and 31.3 percent for women.

Labor force participation also decreased during this period; the total labor force fell by 353 thousand people to 35 million 116 thousand. The labor force participation rate decreased by 0.7 percentage points to 52.6 percent. This rate was 70.5 percent for men, while it remained at 35.2 percent for women.

YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT AT 15.2 PERCENT

The unemployment rate among the youth population aged 15-24 in Turkey remained unchanged this quarter at 15.2 percent. While the unemployment rate among young men was measured at 12.6 percent, a higher rate of 20.4 percent was observed among young women.

The service sector accounted for 59.3 percent of total employment, while those in the agricultural sector held a 13.8 percent share, industry 20.2 percent, and those working in construction held a 6.7 percent share. In the last quarter, the number of employed persons decreased by 189 thousand in services, 44 thousand in agriculture, 48 thousand in construction, and 20 thousand in industry.

RISE IN IDLE LABOR FORCE RATE

The idle labor force rate, also considered as comprehensive unemployment, rose by 0.6 percentage points in the first quarter of the year compared to the previous quarter, reaching 30.4 percent. The combined rate of time-related underemployment and classical unemployment was calculated at 19.8 percent. The total of potential labor force and the unemployed was estimated at 20.4 percent.

Although the data shows a slight decline in unemployment in the labor market, it indicates that the reflections of the contraction in employment and labor force participation on the economy continue.

News Source: 12punto