Turkey’s unemployment rate rose to 8.5% in February 2026, up from 8.1% in January, according to data updated on 31 March 2026. The increase marks a month-over-month deterioration in labor market conditions following January’s lower reading.
On a month-over-month basis, the February figure represents a reversal of the previous trend, as January’s 8.1% rate had compared favorably to the month before it. The latest uptick suggests that, at least in the short term, job creation has not kept pace with labor supply, and will be closely watched by markets assessing the strength and stability of Turkey’s economic momentum.
