Turkish women’s life in stats: Inequality in employment, education, leadership

Ahead of International Women’s Day, the focus is once again on women’s role and participation in modern society.

While significant progress has been made in securing rights and opportunities, challenges remain in education, workforce participation, and attaining leadership positions due to persistent gender roles and expectations.

Recent statistics by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) show that Turkish women continue to face significant disparities in employment, education, and economic participation.

Despite some progress, women still encounter major gaps in wages, job opportunities, and leadership representation.

Turkish women in workforce face low participation, wage gaps

Women in Türkiye struggle to access the labor market, with their participation rate far below that of men.

Despite making up nearly half of the population, they remain underrepresented in the workforce.

According to the latest Household Labor Force Survey:

Labor force participation:

• Women: 35.8%
• Men: 71.2%

This means that more than six out of 10 women in Türkiye are not part of the workforce. Even those who do seek employment face barriers such as gender discrimination, household responsibilities, and limited childcare support.

Employment rate:

• Women: 31.3%
• Men: 65.7%

Turkish women who are employed often take on lower-paying and less secure jobs, contributing to economic instability. The disparity is more striking when looking at different regions.

Regional employment differences:

• Highest female employment: Antalya, Isparta, Burdur (38.9%)
• Lowest female employment: Mardin, Batman, Sirnak, Siirt (19.8%)

While education improves employment prospects for women, it does not eliminate wage inequality. Even among university graduates, women earn significantly less than men in the same roles.

Wage disparity by education level:

• University graduates: Women earn 17.4% less than men
• Primary school graduates: Women earn 13.2% less than men

This pay gap reflects a systemic issue where Turkish women are less likely to be promoted to higher-paying roles and often receive lower wages for the same work.

Gender disparities in education persist despite Turkish women’s increasing enrollment

Educational attainment among Turkish women has increased over the years, and more women are completing higher education. However, they still lag behind men in several key metrics.

Average years of education:

• Women: 8.6 years
• Men: 10.1 years

Despite these improvements, women’s access to higher education remains lower than men’s.

Percentage of population (25+) with at least one level of education completed:

• Women: 87.8%
• Men: 96.8%

Higher education degrees (2023):

• Women: 22.7%
• Men: 26.2%

This gap in education limits Turkish women’s career prospects and earning potential. Even as more women enter higher education, the labor market continues to restrict their opportunities.

How much are Turkish women represented in parliament, leadership roles?

Women’s representation in leadership and decision-making roles remains limited. Although there has been some progress in recent years, women are still significantly underrepresented in politics and business.

Women in Parliament:

• 2007: 9.1%
• 2024: 19.9%

While the number of female parliamentarians has more than doubled since 2007, men continue to dominate decision-making positions.

Women in diplomatic positions:

• Female ambassadors (2011): 11.9%
• Female ambassadors (2024): 26.9%

Corporate leadership (Borsa Istanbul BIST 50):

• Women on boards (2016): 12.2%
• Women on boards (2024): 19.4%

Women in senior and middle management positions:

• 2012: 14.4%
• 2023: 20.6%

Despite these modest improvements, Turkish women continue to be excluded from the highest levels of power. Corporate boardrooms and government institutions remain male-dominated, limiting women’s influence on key policies and economic decisions.

Turkish women’s economic challenges with higher poverty risk, unpaid labor

Women in Türkiye are more vulnerable to poverty and economic exclusion. The combination of lower wages, fewer job opportunities, and greater caregiving responsibilities leaves many women struggling financially.

At risk of poverty or social exclusion (2024):

• Women: 31.5%
• Men: 27.1%

At risk (ages 18-64):

• Women: 29.5%
• Men: 23.1%

This means that nearly one in three Turkish women faces economic hardship. Women are also more likely to take on unpaid labor, such as childcare and eldercare, which prevents them from seeking full-time employment.

Household responsibilities continue to disproportionately impact women’s career opportunities:

Employment rate for parents with children under 3 (ages 25-49):

• Mothers: 27.1%
• Fathers: 90.1%

With such a stark difference, it is evident that childcare responsibilities remain largely on women’s shoulders, further limiting their financial independence and career growth.

Concerns over women’s safety and public security

Beyond economic challenges, many Turkish women also face concerns about personal safety.

Feeling unsafe walking alone at night:

• Women: 35.9%
• Men: 15.2%

Feeling unsafe at home when alone:

• Women: 8.4%
• Men: 3.1%

Women’s fears about their safety reflect the broader issue of gender-based violence and social insecurity. Many feel unsafe in their own neighborhoods, which affects their ability to participate in public life fully.

While some progress has been made in education and political representation, the gender gap in Türkiye remains significant, according to recent data. Women continue to face obstacles in employment, wage equality, leadership, and economic security.

The high risk of poverty, limited career advancement, and concerns over safety make gender equality an ongoing challenge.