Why Do Turkish Women Become Discouraged: Evidence from HLFS Türkiye'de Ümidi Kırık Kadın İşgücü: HİA’dan Bulgular

ELİTAŞ Z., AKGÜL T.

Sosyoekonomi, vol.34, no.67, pp.301-328, 2026 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 34 Issue: 67
  • Publication Date: 2026
  • Doi Number: 10.17233/sosyoekonomi.2026.01.13
  • Journal Name: Sosyoekonomi
  • Journal Indexes: Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI), Scopus, TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.301-328
  • Keywords: Discouraged Women, Female Labour Force Participation, Türkiye, Unemployment
  • Anadolu University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study investigates the factors contributing to women's discouragement in the Turkish labour market using cross-sectional data from the Household Labour Force Survey (HLFS) for 2004-2023. The results show that lower educational attainment, marriage, living in an underdeveloped region, and household factors like having preschool-aged children or elderly/disabled dependents all increase the likelihood of discouragement. The reduction in the probability of discouragement for the 25-34 age group is-0.721 for women with low education, compared with-0.180 for highly educated women in 2023, emphasising the protective effect of higher education against discouragement. Policies that address structural, cultural, and economic barriers are necessary.