Service Sector Leads in Business Numbers and Employment in Türkiye

According to provisional data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the service sector continued to dominate Türkiye’s economic structure in 2024. Statistics show that 44.4% of all active enterprises operated within services, while the trade sector followed closely with 35.1%.

In terms of employment distribution, services again took the lead, accounting for 39.2% of the workforce, whereas the industrial sector represented 27.2% of total employment. These numbers highlight the central role of services in both job creation and overall enterprise activity.

Trade Sector Generates the Highest Turnover

While the service sector led in enterprise and employment figures, trade generated the highest turnover in 2024. Data revealed that the trade sector accounted for 45.8% of total turnover, securing first place.

Despite employing the largest share of workers, the service sector’s contribution to turnover was 16.9%, while the industrial sector made up 30.2%. This contrast emphasizes the distinct nature of these sectors: services dominate in human capital, while trade and industry contribute heavily to revenue streams.

Manufacturing Drives Production Value

On the production side, manufacturing remained the backbone of Türkiye’s economy. In 2024, the production value in manufacturing reached 21.9 trillion TL, far exceeding other industries.

Other significant contributions included:

• Trade: 6.76 trillion TL

• Construction: 5.9 trillion TL

• Transportation and storage: 4.99 trillion TL

• Electricity, gas, steam, and air conditioning supply: 3.26 trillion TL

These figures show the manufacturing sector’s dominance in production value, underscoring its role as a growth engine.

Large Enterprises Capture the Biggest Turnover Share

When analyzed by business size, large enterprises with 250 or more employees took the lead in 2024, generating 35.1% of total turnover. Micro-enterprises (1–9 employees) accounted for 24.7%, small enterprises (10–49 employees) for 19.9%, and medium-sized enterprises (50–249 employees) for 20.3%.

In terms of employment distribution:

• Micro-enterprises (1–9 employees) created the most jobs at 36%

• Large enterprises (250+) employed 27.8%

• Small enterprises (10–49 employees) accounted for 19.3%

• Medium enterprises (50–249 employees) made up 16.9%

This pattern highlights the dual nature of Türkiye’s economy, where small firms are crucial for employment, but large enterprises drive financial turnover.

Nearly 4 Million Active Enterprises in 2024

The report also revealed that Türkiye hosted 3,942,781 active enterprises in 2024. Provisional figures show:

• Total turnover: 91.65 trillion TL

• Production value: 53.16 trillion TL

• Value added at factor cost: 15.74 trillion TL

• Purchases of goods and services: 79.83 trillion TL

Meanwhile, total employment reached 19,789,007 people, showcasing the massive scale of Türkiye’s economic activities across sectors.

Technology Levels in Manufacturing: Low-Tech Dominance

A closer look at the manufacturing sector revealed that 54.7% of enterprises operated in low-technology fields. These businesses represented 48.5% of total employment in manufacturing and contributed 35.9% of total turnover.

This distribution underscores the challenges Türkiye faces in transitioning toward medium- and high-tech industries, which are vital for global competitiveness and sustainable growth.

Alignment with European Business Statistics

The statistical revisions are aligned with the European Business Statistics (EBS) Regulation No. 2019/2152, adopted by the European Parliament and Council. TÜİK confirmed that Annual Industry and Service Statistics for 2009–2023 have been revised under this framework.

Definitive results covering all years will be officially published in December 2025, offering a comprehensive view of Türkiye’s long-term economic evolution.