Türkiye’s Labor Market Faces 1.2 Million Job Vacancies
High paying jobs in 2025
According to the latest data released by İŞKUR (Turkish Employment Agency), Türkiye’s labor market is grappling with nearly 1.2 million open job positions, with the tourism, security, and service sectors reporting the highest demand for workers.
The figures, covering the first half of 2024, show a 10% increase in job placements compared to the same period last year. From January to June, 759,945 individuals secured employment through İŞKUR, including 145,900 new hires in June alone.
Job Openings See Sharp Rise
Alongside rising placements, the number of open positions surged significantly. Nationwide, open job postings reached 1,195,954 in total. June alone saw a 7.3% month-over-month increase, with 208,109 new job listings recorded.
Top Sectors Seeking Workers: Tourism, Security, and Services
The sector with the largest workforce demand was tourism and hospitality, where 56,668 jobs remain unfilled. Close behind is the need for unarmed private security personnel, with 47,648 open roles.
Other notable vacancies include:
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Store clerks – 26,115 positions
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General security staff – 24,156 positions
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Waitstaff – 26,760 positions
Industrial and Construction Gaps Widen
The industrial sector recorded 534,613 unfilled positions, with manufacturing accounting for the majority at 419,816. The construction sector faces a shortage of 99,501 workers.
Service Sector Leads Overall Demand
The service industry tops the overall demand with 652,950 vacancies, especially within administrative and support services, which alone account for 200,128 open positions.
The growing mismatch between labor supply and demand suggests urgent structural needs in key industries, potentially reshaping workforce and training policies across Türkiye.