The Key to Women’s Employment: Education Hakan Ercan Middle East Technical University TOBB Presentation December 2012

Salient facts for Turkey Labor force participation rate in Turkey is around 50%. Women’s LFPR was 28% in September 2012, highest ever. Why? Lack of education! Not only women’s education, men’s education! Outside of large metropolitan areas, non-economic dynamics are at work. December 20122

Labour Force Participation Rates

Provincial Labor Force Statistics, 2009 (TÜ İ K) 4December 2012

Rural-urban migration is still going on: December Most migrants are young. Almost all had five years of schooling, until recently.

International cross-country data: Women’s (25-44 year-olds) LFPR against GDP per capita in PPP: December 20126

Turkey projections We are 15 points below than what we must be, given our per capita income. December 20127

Francisco H. G. Ferreira, The World Bank Conversations in Istanbul and Ankara, June 2008 December 20128

Not only consumption, but life itself: December Even if we accept inequalities attributable to personal responsibility as fair, there remain huge inequalities due to morally-irrelevant circumstances beyond the control of individuals.

... And work (factors for first job transition, year-olds) 10December 2012

Flexicurity? Not so sure anymore (after Spain during the recent crisis). Not with occupational segregation, low wages, and informal employment. Daycare? Safe public transportation? Yes, but... In Istanbul and Ankara and a few other cities. Gaziantep? Konya? Mardin? December

LFPR by education levels (%) December EducationMaleFemale Less than hi school7225 High school7431 College8568

Monthly earnings by year, sex, and sector (non-agriculture) December

Women’s Earnings Profiles: Age and Education 14December 2012

Thank you.