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Turkey’s Wage-Earning Workforce Tops 15.8 Million in May, Despite Decline in Industry Jobs

worker welding steel in construction workshop

According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the number of wage-earning employees in Turkey’s industrial, construction, and service sectors rose by 1.2% year-over-year in May 2025, reaching a total of 15.88 million. While the industry sector experienced a notable decline, the construction and service sectors continued to grow, especially in finance and hospitality.

Job Growth Driven by Construction and Services

In May 2024, total wage earners stood at 15.7 million. Over the course of one year, the workforce grew by more than 185,000 people. The most substantial gains occurred in:

  • Construction: up 4.6% to 1.91 million workers

  • Trade and services: up 2.9% to 9.05 million employees

In contrast, industrial employment dropped by 3.1%, with the number of wage-earning employees falling to 4.91 million.

Manufacturing Suffers While Utilities and Hospitality Grow

Within the industrial sector, manufacturing was hit the hardest, shrinking by 3.3% to 4.57 million workers. However, there was a 2.7% rise in utility services, with electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning sectors employing 141,717 people. Water supply and waste management activities saw a 3.6% decline, with 64,813 people employed.

In the services sector, major gains included:

  • Accommodation and food services: +5.9%

  • Transportation and storage: +4.5%

  • Finance and insurance: +4.5%

  • Real estate: +2.6%

  • Professional, scientific, and technical services: +2.9%

  • Information and communication: +1.8%

  • Administrative and support services: +0.4%, now employing 1.47 million

Monthly Employment Growth Stalls Overall

While the annual trend showed modest growth, month-over-month figures remained stagnant. Compared to April 2025:

  • Industrial employment fell 0.6%

  • Construction sector grew by 0.1%

  • Trade and services edged up 0.3%

The overall number of wage-earning employees did not change month-to-month, highlighting a slowdown in employment momentum.

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