Turkey's Unemployment Rate Drops to 8.4% in May: Minister Işıkhan Announces Positive Labor Force Data
Turkey's unemployment rate fell to 8.4% in May 2025, according to Minister Vedat Işıkhan. Employment rose to 32.519 million, and youth unemployment also saw a decrease, reflecting the positive impact of investment and production-oriented growth strategies.
Ankara – Turkey's Minister of Labour and Social Security, Prof. Dr. Vedat Işıkhan, has announced the May 2025 labor force statistics, revealing continued positive trends in the job market. According to Minister Işıkhan, the unemployment rate in Turkey decreased to 8.4%, while employment reached 32.519 million people, with a notable decline also observed in youth unemployment.
Minister Işıkhan stated that Turkey's growth strategy, focused on investment, production, and exports, continues to positively influence the labor market.
Unemployment Rate in Single Digits for 25 Months
As of May 2025, the unemployment rate in Turkey saw a 0.2 percentage point decrease compared to the previous month, reaching 8.4%. This marks 25 consecutive months that the unemployment rate has remained in single-digit figures. The number of unemployed individuals also fell by 69,000, settling at 2.972 million.
Decline in Youth Unemployment
The same period saw a reduction in the youth unemployment rate, which dropped by 0.3 percentage points to 15.4%. This development indicates the effectiveness of policies implemented to boost youth employment.
Employment Rises to Over 32.5 Million
The increase in employment figures was also significant. In May, the number of employed individuals rose by 100,000, reaching 32.519 million. The employment rate concurrently increased by 0.1 percentage points to 49%.
Minister Işıkhan further noted that the total labor force grew by 31,000 people from the previous month, reaching 35.491 million. The Ministry emphasized that these figures reflect the favorable outcomes of the implemented employment-supportive policies.
"We will continue to strengthen working life"
Stating that changes in the labor market are being closely monitored, Minister Işıkhan affirmed the government's resolute commitment to continuing policies aimed at strengthening working life and supporting sustainable growth.
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