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Female Labour Force Participation in Turkey: The Role of Traditionalism

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Abstract

Turkey witnessed a remarkable transformation over the last century. However, the female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) stagnated around 30 per cent, well below the OECD average. In this study, the determinants of female labour force participation are analysed with a special focus on the effects of traditionalism. Using probit and multinomial logit models as well instrumental variable approach, the effects of traditional norms for 3 sectors and 5 job statuses are estimated. Widely used determinants in the literature such as own education, fertility and maternity conditions are found significant with expected signs where own education has the biggest impact on labour force participation and employment. Finally, it is found that women who were raised under a traditional culture have a lower probability to participate to labour force and find jobs. These detrimental effects are stronger in services sector and among regular/waged workers.

La Turquie s’est beaucoup transformée au cours du dernier siècle. Cependant, la participation féminine au marché du travail (en anglais : FLFPR) est reste autour de 30 pourcent, bien au-dessus de la moyenne OECD. Ici on étude les déterminants du FLFPR, portant une attention particulière au effet du traditionalisme. Utilisant des modelés probit, logit multinomial, et de variable instrumentale, on estime quels sont les effets que les normes traditionnelles ont sur trois secteurs et sur cinq types de travail. D’autres déterminants, déjà beaucoup étudiés (comme l’éducation, la fertilité, et la grossesse) sont significatives aussi; l’éducation ayant l’impact le plus important sur la participation au monde du travail, comme prévu. Les femmes élevées au sein d’une culture traditionnelle ont une probabilité mineure de participer au marché du travail. Ces effets négatifs sont plus marqués dans le secteur des services, et parmi les salariés et les travailleurs réguliers.

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Figure 1

Source: OECD, World Bank.

Figure 2

Source: Turkstat.

Figure 3

Source: World Bank.

Figure 4

Source: Turkstat.

Figure 5

Source: World Bank.

Figure 6

Source: Turkstat.

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  1. Undersecretariat of Turkish Treasury, Inonu Blv. No 36 18. Kat 1817 nolu oda Emek, Cankaya, Ankara, 06510, Turkey

    Burak Sencer Atasoy

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Atasoy, B.S. Female Labour Force Participation in Turkey: The Role of Traditionalism. Eur J Dev Res 29, 675–706 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41287-016-0013-z

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