Turkey’s unemployment rate climbed to 8.1% in July 2026, up from 7.6% in June, according to data updated on 31 August 2026. The increase marks a month-over-month deterioration in labor market conditions after an improvement registered in June.
The comparison is made on a month-over-month basis, meaning July’s figure reflects how the labor market evolved relative to June, while the June reading of 7.6% was itself measured against May. The latest uptick suggests that the positive trend seen earlier in the summer has stalled, with more people now registered as unemployed.
While the data release does not provide sector-level details or reasons for the rise, the reversal underscores renewed pressure on Turkey’s labor market in mid-2026 and will likely draw attention from policymakers monitoring employment dynamics and overall economic momentum.
