The number of paid employees across Türkiye’s industry, construction, and trade-services sectors increased by 2.2% in January 2025 compared to the same month in the previous year, according to a statement released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) on Friday.

The data highlights a year-on-year growth in employment, with the total number of paid employees rising from 15,073,564 in January 2024 to 15,407,625 in January 2025.

Breaking down the figures by sub-sectors, the TurkStat report revealed varied trends. The industrial sector saw a decline, with the number of paid employees decreasing by 1.4% annually. In contrast, the construction sector experienced significant growth, with a 6.4% increase in paid employment over the same period. The trade-services sector, which includes retail, wholesale, and other service-oriented industries, also recorded a positive trend, with a 3.5% annual rise in the number of paid employees.

On a monthly basis, the overall number of paid employees in the combined sectors showed a modest increase of 0.1% in January 2025 compared to December 2024. Within the sub-sectors, the industrial sector continued to see a decline, with a 0.4% reduction in paid employees month-on-month. Meanwhile, the construction sector posted a 0.6% increase, and the trade-services sector saw a slight uptick of 0.2% over the same period.

The TurkStat data underscores ongoing shifts in Türkiye’s labor market, with growth in construction and trade-services sectors offsetting declines in industrial employment. Analysts suggest that the robust performance in construction may be linked to ongoing infrastructure projects and urban development initiatives, while the trade-services sector’s growth reflects resilience in consumer-facing industries. The decline in industrial employment, however, may raise concerns about challenges facing manufacturing and related industries, potentially due to global economic pressures or domestic market dynamics.

The Turkish Statistical Institute’s report provides a snapshot of employment trends as the country navigates economic recovery and structural changes, with policymakers and businesses likely to closely monitor these developments in the coming months. (ILKHA)