İŞKUR announced the number of registered unemployed persons in Turkey as over 4,418,000. Women make up 50.5 pct of this number, however, actual figures are likely higher as hidden female unemployment is a widespread phenomenon in Turkey.
The increase in unemployment from 2018 was 70 pct for men and 66 pct for women. Over one million of these unemployed persons are aged 20 to 24.
Unemployment is highest among elementary school graduates, however, unemployment among university graduates at the undergraduate level has seen the biggest spike with 112 pct compared to 2018, rising to 664,507.
Out of the almost four and a half million job seekers, İŞKUR has placed less than 120,000 in employment. 34 pct of them were women, despite incentives provided by the institution.
According to Turkish labour law, the employer portion of social security payments for certain groups, including women, are done through İŞKUR, with the money coming out of the public Unemployment Insurance Fund.