Decline in industry, rise in services: The number of employees in Türkiye decreased by 1.2 percent annually

According to the paid employment statistics of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) for August, the number of paid workers in the industry, construction and trade-service sectors increased by 2 percent annually. While the total number of paid employees increased to 16 million 409 thousand 588 people, the number of employees in the industrial sector decreased.

The total number of paid employees in the industry, construction and trade-service sectors increased from 16 million 89 thousand 37 people in August last year to 16 million 409 thousand 588 people in August 2026. Thus, an increase of 320 thousand 551 people was recorded on an annual basis.

When sub-sectors are examined, the number of paid employees decreased by 1 percent annually in industry, while it increased by 3.4 percent in construction and 3.3 percent in the trade-service sector.

The number of paid employees in the industrial sector decreased by 50 thousand 777 people to 4 million 835 thousand 657. The number of employees in the manufacturing sector decreased by 1.2 percent annually, reaching 4 million 481 thousand 821.

The number of paid employees in the trade-service sector increased by 303 thousand 442 people annually and reached 9 million 494 thousand 111. The highest annual increase in sub-sectors was recorded in transportation and storage activities with 6.5 percent. The number of paid employees in this sector increased to 1 million 358 thousand 299.

The number of employees in real estate activities increased by 6 percent to 139 thousand 594, and in accommodation and food services increased by 3.3 percent to 1 million 512 thousand 615. In the information and communication sector, the number of paid employees decreased by 1.5 percent annually, falling to 291 thousand 124.

The total number of paid employees in the industry, construction and trade-service sectors did not change in August compared to the previous month.

While the number of paid employees decreased by 0.2 percent in industry on a monthly basis, there was no change in the construction sector. In the trade-service sector, the number of paid employees increased by 0.2 percent.