Unemployment Rate Still on the Increase in August: 11.1 Percent

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The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) announced the labor force statistics for August 2018 today (November 15).

The number of the unemployed above the age of 15 across Turkey increased by 266 thousand people in August when compared with the same month last year and became 3 million 670 thousand people. The rate of unemployment increased by 0.5 point in the same period and became 11.1 percent.

In August 2018, the unemployment rate increased by 0.3 point in comparison with July 2018. The non-agricultural unemployment rate was also estimated to be 13.2 percent, showing an increase of 0.4 point.

Youth unemployment: 20.8 percent

The youth (ages of 15-24) unemployment rate increased by 0.2 point in August and became 20.8 percent.

The figures announced by the institute for July 2018 previously showed that youth unemployment rate fell by 1.2 points in July, becoming 19.9 percent.

Public employment increased by 20.2 percent

According to the data shared by the Ministry of Treasury and Finance, in the third quarter of 2018, the total public employment increased by 20.2 percent in comparison with the same period last year and reached the level of 4 million and 296 thousand people.

The appointment of sub-contracted laborers as public officers (permanent workers) has resulted in this increase. (HK/SD)

* Photograph: Haluk Kalafat - bianet