Rates Double For Women With Higher Education

Research Institute for Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey’s (DISK-AR) published a statement commenting on Turkish Statistics Institute’s Data on May 2013 Unemployment Rates. 

The statement rated women as the most disadvantageous group in Turkey’s workforce. 

“By the official statistics, we can conclude that women are usually employed at insecure and temporary positions. Women with higher education, on the other hand, meet with the invisible wall of workforce.

Some of the highlight from the report included: 

* The unemployment rates for men with higher education in May 2013 turned out to be 5.9 percent. While the unemployment rates for women with higher education in May 2013 turned out to be 13.1 percent - almost doubling rates for men. 

* In this category, unemployment among women rose to 265,000 from 210,000 last year. 

* In May 2008, the number of unemployed women with higher education was around 129,000. 

* In the past 5 years, the toll almost doubled. The majority of those who are unemployed with higher education are women. 

* Only 1 out of 3 women join the work force in Turkey. 

Participation rates

* Women’s participation to work force is 31.8 percent.

* Compared to last year, this rate rose by 1.6 percent. However, the number of un-contracted women rose by 59,000 people. In the same period, the same rate fell by 307,000 people among men. 

* Women constitute 59 percent of those who no longer look for a job for the past 3 months and those who are not considered as unemployed even though they are ready for work. 

* The percentage of women who are considered unemployed with a broad sense turned out 23. 

Hidden unemployment

* Unemployment rates seem to rise radically as the demand for work force has not been met adequately. The official toll of unemployment rose from 8.2 percent to 8.8 percent with an addition of 254,000 people. 

* The toll rises when we add those who no longer look for a job for the past 3 months and those who are not considered as unemployed even though they are ready for work. The final toll then becomes 412,000 and to 14.7 percent. 

* The rising trend of unemployment rates since June 2012 without seasonal affects resumed. The aforementioned effect rose from 8.9 percent in June 2012 to 9.6 on May 2013.  

* The number of unemployed people with a broader definition is 4,510,000. 

* The percentage of unemployed young people with a broader definition is 26.

* Adding up those who are either hidden or inadequately unemployed, the final rates turn out to be 18.91 percent and 5,487,000 people. (YY/BM)

* Click here to view the full report in Turkish. 

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.