Demography and Labor Force 

Turkey is located in the UTC+2 (GMT+2) time zone, which enables it to communicate with both eastern and western countries during the same working day.

Area

Turkey’s 783,562.38 km2 of land is divided into seven geographical regions: the Marmara, the Aegean, the Mediterranean, the Southeastern Anatolia, the Eastern Anatolia, the Central Anatolia, and the Black Sea. The country is surrounded by four seas: the Mediterranean Sea, the Aegean Sea, the Sea of Marmara, and the Black Sea.

Population

Turkey has a total population of 73 million, with half of the population under the age of 28.8.

Population-Age Groups Pyramid

Source: Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) and United Nations (UN)

2. LABOR FORCE

Turkey has a total population of 73 million, of which 24.7 million people are active in the labor force, and Turkey is the 5th largest labor force compared with the EU countries.

Labor Force (in millions) - 2008

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

Turkey’s young population is an important contributor to labor force growth and has helped Turkey rank the highest among its competitors.

The distribution of the workforce among many diverse sectors reflects the wealth of opportunities offered to investors. Labor costs in Turkey are very competitive and wages have remained lower than those in other countries.

Monthly Average Wages - 2009 (USD)*

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)
*Average gross earnings per worker per month, excluding non-pay costs such as social security.

Annual Average Change (%) in

Average Real Wages - 2003 - 2008*

Source: Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)

*Annual average percentage change in hourly wages in local currency adjusted for inflation.

The Turkish labor market is one of the best in the world because of the qualifications, skills, dedication and motivation it offers.

Turkey has a young, dynamic labor force with an average age of 28.8, and a strong work ethic is an important part of Turkey's work culture. The workplace as an institution is cherished in Turkey because it allows individuals to utilize their skills and to work towards self advancement. The labor force's dedication to work is shown via Turkey's high productivity, low absenteeism, and its position as one of the countries with the highest annual working hour rates.

Average Number of Sick Days per Employee
per Year in Europe (2008)

Source: MERCER-Pan-European Employer Health Benefits Issues Survey 2008

Hours Worked per Week of Full Time Employment

Annual Average (2009)

Source: Statistical Office of the European Commission (Eurostat) 

3. EDUCATION

In 2009, approximately 450,000 graduates from circa 150 universities, and around 550,000 high school graduates, including one third from vocational and technical high schools, provided Turkey with 24.7 million young, well-educated and motivated professionals. Overall, Turkey has a labor market that continues to improve dramatically each year, in both quantity and quality.

Source: Statistical Office of the European Commission (Eurostat)