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Recent trends in informal employment in Turkey

Author

Listed:
  • Cem Başlevent

    (Istanbul Bilgi University)

  • Ayşenur Acar

    (Bahcesehir University Center for Economic and Social Research (BETAM))

Abstract

Using micro data from TurkStat's 2000, 2006, and 2012 Household Labor Force Surveys, we examine the recent trends in informal employment in Turkey. Our descriptive analysis of the incidence of informal employment across broad categories such as sectors, occupations, and age groups is followed by an econometric exercise which aims to uncover the main determinants of informality status. We find that the gender di erence in the rate of informality is present even when the sectoral composition of employment is controlled for. Alternative versions of the empirical model are estimated to assess the idea that the gender di erence has to do with the fact that many women have indirect access to social security benefi ts as the insured person's wife or daughter. While our findings are in line with this hypothesis, we point to the lack of survey items that would have been more instrumental in uncovering to what extent 'indirect access to bene fits' and various government policies contribute to the persistence of informality.

Suggested Citation

  • Cem Başlevent & Ayşenur Acar, 2015. "Recent trends in informal employment in Turkey," Yildiz Social Science Review, Yildiz Technical University, vol. 1(1), pages 77-88.
    • Handle: RePEc:aye:journl:v:1:y:2015:i:1:p:77-88
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Badi H. Baltagi & Yusuf Soner Baskaya & Timur Hulagu, 2013. "How different are the wage curves for formal and informal workers? Evidence from Turkey," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 92(2), pages 271-283, June.
    2. Melika BEN SALEM & Isabelle BENSIDOUN & Selin PELEK, 2011. "Informal Employment In Turkey: An Overview," Region et Developpement, Region et Developpement, LEAD, Universite du Sud - Toulon Var, vol. 34, pages 57-84.
    3. Kan, Elif Oznur & Tansel, Aysit, 2014. "Defining and Measuring Informality in the Turkish Labor Market," MPRA Paper 57739, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Kan, Elif Oznur & Tansel, Aysit, 2014. "Defining and Measuring Informality in the Turkish Labor Market," MPRA Paper 57739, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    5. Mehmet Ela, 2013. "An Assessment on the Relationship Between Informal Economy and Educational Level in Turkey," International Journal of Economics and Financial Issues, Econjournals, vol. 3(4), pages 910-922.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Turkey; Labor market; Informality; Household Labor Force SurveyJournal: Yildiz Social Science Review;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F00 - International Economics - - General - - - General
    • F30 - International Economics - - International Finance - - - General
    • G00 - Financial Economics - - General - - - General
    • G10 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - General (includes Measurement and Data)
    • K00 - Law and Economics - - General - - - General (including Data Sources and Description)
    • K20 - Law and Economics - - Regulation and Business Law - - - General
    • M00 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - General - - - General
    • M20 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Economics - - - General
    • O10 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Economic Development - - - General

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