The gendered economy in a nation at the crossroads of change

Often classified as an emerging market and having enjoyed high growth in recent years, Turkey’s per capita GDP puts it in the upper-middle income group in the World Bank classification scheme. With fertility having fallen steadily over the last half century, Turkey’s large population is mostly in its productive ages now which may be contributing to the strong economic growth of the last few years. Many policymakers want Turkey to continue to grow and become rich before population aging escalates and there are more retirees relative to the number of potential workers.

What role will gender play in Turkey’s growth? Currently female labor force participation is lower in Turkey than in many of its neighbors to the north, but higher than its neighbors to the south. Turkey is at a crossroads not only in terms of geography, but also when it comes to the role of women. Using Counting Women’s Work tools to measure how men and women spend their time and produce value can help Turkish policymakers understand where opportunities exist to open labor markets to women and to open more household care participation to men and to market-based providers.

Turkey

Aylin Seçkin

Professor of Economics

Istanbul Bilgi University

aylin.seckin@bilgi.edu.tr

Nazlı Şahanoğulları

Research Assistant, PhD Economics

Istanbul Bilgi UniversitY

nazli.sahanogullari@bilgi.edu.tr