Paid Employment in Turkey Rises Above 15.6 Million in April

Turkey’s labor market showed steady growth in April 2024, with the number of paid employees increasing by 2.4% year-over-year, exceeding 15.6 million, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). While the construction and trade-services sectors fueled this rise, industrial employment recorded a decline.

Sectoral Shift in Employment Growth

The data for April underscores the continued transformation in Turkey’s sectoral employment structure. The total number of paid employees across industry, construction, and trade-services sectors reached 15,658,462, up from 15,289,223 in April 2023. This yearly uptick signals a broader recovery trend in the job market—though sector-specific dynamics reveal more complex patterns.

Construction Leads with 7.3% Employment Surge

Among the sectors, construction posted the most notable growth, with paid employment rising 7.3% year-over-year. Analysts link this increase to the acceleration in urban renewal projects and public infrastructure investments, indicating revived momentum in the sector.

The trade and services sector also showed solid gains, with a 3.6% rise in paid employment. The rebound in retail, logistics, hospitality, and food services, coupled with growing demand for digital services, played a crucial role in driving this improvement.

Industrial Jobs Decline Amid Slowing Production

In contrast, the industrial sector saw a 1.3% drop in employment compared to April 2023. Experts attribute the decline to sluggish production, fluctuations in foreign demand, and temporary slowdowns in sub-sectors such as automotive manufacturing.

Month-on-Month Growth Signals Short-Term Resilience

Employment also ticked up on a monthly basis. From March to April 2024, the overall number of paid employees rose by 0.7%, indicating short-term resilience in the labor market.

Breakdown of April’s monthly increases:

• Industrial sector: +0.4%

• Construction sector: +2.4%

• Trade and services: +0.6%

Summary

Turkey’s April employment report paints a mixed picture: while construction and services are expanding, industrial jobs remain under pressure. Still, the overall rise in paid employment reflects continued demand in urban development and consumer-facing services, offering a positive signal for job seekers in these fields.