TEPAV Report: Türkiye’s Registered Employment Hits Record 25.5 Million

The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Türkiye (TEPAV) released its May 2025 Employment Monitoring Bulletin, revealing that the number of registered employees in Türkiye has reached an all-time high of 25,588,839 workers. This marks a 0.9% annual increase, setting a new record in insured employment.

Rising Share of Retirees Returning to Work

According to data based on Social Security Institution (SGK) records, one of the most notable changes is the sharp increase in retirees who re-entered the workforce while paying the Social Security Support Premium (SGDP). Their numbers rose 6.4% year-on-year, reaching 2,159,253 employees — about 8.4% of total employment.

Sector Trends: Retail Up, Construction and Textiles Struggle

Of the 88 subsectors monitored in May, 41 experienced job losses. The steepest decline came in building and landscaping activities, with 94,324 fewer employees, reflecting a 14.4% contraction. The apparel sector lost over 70,000 jobs, while textile manufacturing shed more than 31,000.

In contrast, several sectors posted significant growth:

• Retail trade: +156,677 jobs (largest increase)

• Building construction: +85,873 jobs

• Food and beverage services: +75,402 jobs

• Wholesale trade: +50,714 jobs

Earthquake-Hit Provinces See Strong Recovery

While nearly half of Türkiye’s registered employees are concentrated in Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Antalya, and Bursa, the sharpest growth was recorded in provinces affected by the 2023 earthquakes:

• Hatay: +93,855 jobs (+45.6%)

• Malatya: +37,001 jobs (+29.5%)

• Kahramanmaraş: +30,628 jobs (+16.7%)

These figures show that reconstruction efforts and recovery programs in quake-hit regions are translating into a notable employment boost