Challenges in Youth Education and Employment in Turkey

Abstract

Although the unemployment is a common problem faced by all advanced countries it has different characteristics in terms of durations distribution across gender age and sectors. It is even more complicated for Turkey as well. In many developed countries the ratio of informal employment still remains high with deficiency in productive employment. Moreover as a result of the global financial and economic crisis Turkey is facing a job emergency. Delays in completing supportive macroeconomic policies for curbing unemployment eradicating collective bargaining of wages and social security protection poor design of employment framework and limits in job creation for youth are obstacles for the labor markets. Likewise precarious and unsecured work arrangements including temporary employment and part-time work are increasing especially among young employees. Compared to prime-aged workers younger cohorts face higher probability of being unemployed and work at informal sector with low standards of working conditions. Although human capital is the key element for youth to become employable in productive sectors Turkey still faces low levels of schooling and insufficient educational facilities. Thus the further investments are needed to invest in programs like active labor market and life-long learning to increase youth employment. Reducing informal employment promoting high quality and productive jobs are crucial for addressing the problems of youth unemployment.