DEVELOPMENTS IN WOMEN?S LABOR FORCE PARTICIPATION IN TURKEY: A STUDY ON DETERMINANTS OF THE PARTICIPATION (2000-2016 )

Abstract

In Turkish economy, women?s participation rate in the workforce has always lagged behind the males. The main objective of this study is to show the level of women?s participation in economic life and examine the determinants of their participation to labor force in Turkish economy. The data show that women?s participation rate in Turkey has improved gradually. Despite the developments in this regard in recent years, female labor force has been underutilized and failed to go beyond the traditional participation forms. Results of this study indicate that share of unpaid work, educational level, rate of salaried workers, and share of services have significant impact on the women?s participation rate. Further studies in this realm will guide policymakers to increase participation of women in labor force and strengthen the position of women in the labor market.