Turkey Adds 155,000 Jobs as Unemployment Hits 7.9%

Turkey's unemployment rate fell to 7.9% in the second quarter of 2026, marking real progress for a country working hard to strengthen its economy and create opportunities for its people.

The Turkish Statistical Institute reported that 84,000 fewer people were unemployed compared to the previous quarter. At the same time, 155,000 new jobs were created, bringing total employment to 32.48 million people across the nation.

Young people saw especially encouraging news. Youth unemployment dropped a full percentage point to 13.9%, giving more Turks aged 15 to 24 a chance to start their careers and build their futures.

The employment rate climbed to 48.5%, with nearly half of Turkey's working age population now holding jobs. More people are also actively looking for work, a sign of growing confidence in the job market.

The Ripple Effect

These numbers represent more than statistics. They're 155,000 families with new paychecks, new stability, and new hope for the future.

The service sector led the way with 240,000 new jobs, showing strong growth in Turkey's modern economy. Construction added 25,000 positions, while agriculture contributed 10,000 more opportunities for workers.

Finance Minister Mehmet Simsek highlighted another win: formal employment continues rising. These jobs come with social security benefits that protect workers and their families, a crucial safety net that informal work doesn't provide.

The informal employment rate in non-agricultural sectors averaged just 15.7% over the past year. That's well below Turkey's historical norm, meaning more workers have proper protections and benefits than ever before.

Women still face higher unemployment at 10.3% compared to 6.7% for men, showing there's more work to do. But the overall trend points toward progress, with policies focused on strengthening human capital and boosting labor force participation.

Turkey continues building an economy that works for more of its people, one job at a time.