Unemployment rate falls to 7.6 percent
Turkey's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate declined by 0.5 percentage points from the previous month to 7.6 percent in June 2026, according to labour force data from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The number of unemployed people fell by 168,000 to 2.688 million. TurkStat's official announcement said the unemployment rate was estimated at 6.5 percent for men and 9.8 percent for women.
Reports from Anadolu Agency, Demirören News Agency and Habertürk said the 7.6 percent reading was the lowest level in the monthly series that began in 2005. That comparison refers to the seasonally adjusted monthly unemployment series. The rate should not be treated as a single measure that captures every condition in the labour market.
Employment increases by 227,000
The number of employed people increased by 227,000 from the previous month to 32.733 million in June. The employment rate rose by 0.3 percentage points to 48.9 percent. It was 66.1 percent for men and 32 percent for women. The increase in employment therefore occurred during the same month as the decline in the number of unemployed people.
The labour force expanded by 58,000 to 35.420 million. The labour force participation rate increased by 0.1 percentage points to 52.9 percent. Participation was 70.7 percent for men and 35.4 percent for women. The rise in participation is one indication that the decline in unemployment was not explained solely by people leaving the labour force.
Youth unemployment declines to 12.8 percent
The seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for people aged 15 to 24 fell by 1.8 percentage points from the previous month to 12.8 percent. The rate was estimated at 10.4 percent for young men and 17.3 percent for young women. A gap between young women and young men remained visible in the June data.
The decline in youth unemployment was one of the most notable parts of the monthly release. A single monthly movement, however, does not by itself establish a permanent trend. Data in coming months will show whether the decrease continues and how employment among young people develops.
Labour underutilisation stands at 28.8 percent
TurkStat's supplementary indicators showed that the seasonally adjusted rate combining time-related underemployment, potential labour force and unemployed people was 28.8 percent in June. This broader measure includes not only unemployed people who are actively seeking work, but also people who want more working hours or remain close to entering the labour force.
The official unemployment rate and the labour underutilisation rate use different definitions and should not be interpreted as the same measurement. The 7.6 percent figure represents the narrower unemployment definition, while the 28.8 percent indicator reflects a wider range of unused labour capacity. Reading both figures together provides different views of labour market conditions.
Average working week rises to 42.5 hours
The seasonally and calendar-adjusted average actual weekly working time for employed people who were at work during the reference period increased by 0.1 hours to 42.5 hours. This measure adds information about working conditions beyond changes in employment and unemployment rates.
The June results combine a reduction in the number of unemployed people, an increase in employment and a limited rise in labour force participation. A fuller assessment of the labour market also requires following sector data, wages, working hours and employment among women and young people in subsequent releases.
How should the figures be read?
TurkStat's monthly indicators are seasonally adjusted estimates, and earlier periods may be revised when new information becomes available. The June release points to a strong monthly improvement in the current series. Whether that development becomes a sustained trend will be clearer after data for July and later months are published.
