Examining the Competitiveness of Provinces at Sectoral Level in Türkiye

Increasing sectoral competitiveness is of vital importance in realizing economic goals. In this process, scientific research analyzing sectoral competitiveness plays a guiding role. The competitiveness of sectors in Turkey changes over time and determining these levels provides direction for sectoral development processes. On this axis, the aim of this study is to calculate the comparative advantages of provinces in Türkiye from a sectoral perspective. In this study, the competitiveness of Türkiye's 81 provinces across 26 sectors is revealed using the Revealed Comparative Advantage index developed by Balassa. In this study, sectoral export figures based on the registered offices of exporting companies were used, and 2014 and 2023 were taken as the basis years. As a result of the research, it has been determined that the sectors in which provinces show comparative advantage have changed over time, and the most prominent sector in the change in the number of provinces showing strong advantage by sectors in Türkiye is the mining products sector. Additionally, it has been determined that the sectors with the highest number of provinces showing strong advantages compared to other sectors in the 2014-2023 period are “Mining Products,†“Seafood and Animal Products,†“Cement, Glass, Ceramic, and Soil Products,†“Fruit and Vegetable Products,†“Fresh Fruits and Vegetables,†“Cereals, Pulses, Oilseeds, and Their Products,†and “Dried Fruits and Their Products,†respectively. Based on the findings of this study, it is predicted that strategic planning according to the sectoral advantages of provinces and the establishment of comprehensive incentive mechanisms on a provincial basis will accelerate sectoral growth.