The prominent statements of Michael Page Türkiye General Manager Fatih Cömert in the broadcast were as follows:
When we compare 2026 with last year, we see a 32 percent decrease in white collar employment. One of the reasons for the total decrease is the shift of some tasks to artificial intelligence.
We can say that especially the need for consultancy companies has decreased even more here. That's why we focused more on mid- and senior-level roles.
During this period, France and Germany had a lot of difficulties in Europe, and we, as Türkiye, are among the countries that had difficulties, but if we look at the sector, for example, the defense industry showed growth during this period. Data analytics has grown, there has been an increase in the field of cyber security, but we have observed a slight decrease in what we call more classical roles.
Middle East market
There are many employees going there from Türkiye, especially in Dubai. Of course, with the start of this war, that place was greatly affected. Turkish employees who are currently there want to return to Türkiye, and we receive a lot of applications for returns. Not only in Türkiye, there are people who want to return to England. I can say that the Dubai region has been greatly affected on the employment side.
Effects of the economic conjuncture on the sector
If we look at Türkiye specifically, cost pressure has increased a little too much. Especially the fact that inflation and the dollar exchange rate did not increase at the same time made the costs here difficult.
It made cost control difficult. Especially companies that export: The automotive industry, sub-industry, textile and general export companies experienced the most difficulties.
Growth was less.
Since there was a lot of technology investment in the finance sector, that is, on the banks side, the performance was good there.
talent trends
The biggest change here was in artificial intelligence. Usage increased from 24 percent to 41 percent and 60 percent this year. There is a very serious use. The use of artificial intelligence has increased a lot, this is one of the biggest trends. 74 percent of job seekers benefit from artificial intelligence.
Employers also use artificial intelligence to pre-screen. They also have the first interview done by artificial intelligence. But this is used in slightly more entry-level roles. General manager and CEO changes took a little longer. But turnover times for CFOs and CMOs have begun to shorten.
Manager elections
Experience is still very critical here, especially managers and CEOs who have experienced crisis and difficult times are preferred. If a change needs to be made, for example, how it uses artificial intelligence and how it applies it is examined. The sectors that stand out in preferences are the defense industry, the energy sector and the health sector. Artificial intelligence will affect the white collar more, the blue collar less.
The recruitment side is changing a lot, competencies are changing, we are also using artificial intelligence, so we can say that it is becoming more difficult to find the right person for that job.
Employee demands
Wages are again at number one, wages are at number one for both the leaders and those at the entry level. When employees change jobs, they look at: Will my work life balance be disrupted? In fact, they do not move to a higher paying job because they are afraid of this.
Wage ranks first globally with 51 percent, and ranks first in Türkiye with 61 percent.
We think that 2027 will be similar to this year, but we expect the sector to perform better in the second half of 2027 and we expect better figures.
