Assessing the Socioeconomic Impact of COVID-19 on Female Youth Employment in Turkey

The COVID-19 pandemic exacerbated labor market inequalities, disproportionately impacting workers based on age, gender, and sector. In Turkey, the pandemic-induced economic crisis resulted in a substantial increase in unemployment, with youth (ages 15–24) encountering the most significant challenges. Young women, in particular, experienced more severe outcomes, increasing their vulnerability in the labor market. This study examined the factors contributing to the intensified challenges faced by young women during the pandemic. Using official data from the International Labour Organization (ILO), the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), and the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), comparative analyses were conducted on labor market indicators by age and gender, focusing on unemployment rates, informal employment, and sectoral distribution. This study considers both narrow and broad definitions of unemployment, including underemployment and the potential labor force. The findings indicate that young women suffered the most severe employment losses, exacerbated by their concentration in low-wage, precarious jobs and informal work, with gendered occupational segregation further intensifying these disparities.