Youth unemployment problem in Turkey: Siirt province labor market research

Today, it is known that youth unemployment is one of the most important problems not only in developing countries but also in developed countries and has gained a global dimension in this sense. Although Turkey's young population has important advantages, youth unemployment needs to be solved in order to transform these advantages into economic and social opportunities. In this study, the problem of youth unemployment in Turkey is analyzed in the province of Siirt, where the youth population is very dense, and evaluated within the framework of local dynamics. Within the scope of the research, as a result of the surveys conducted with 380 young unemployed people living in Siirt province, the reasons for youth unemployment and the obstacles they face in the labor market were analyzed in detail. It has been determined that the biggest difficulties faced by young unemployed in Siirt province in the process of finding a job are insufficient work experience, inability to meet the experience expectations of employers, education and skill mismatches. In addition, it is also revealed that the difficulties faced by young people in the process of finding a job stem from the imbalances between demand and supply in the labor market. In addition, according to the results of this research, employers' lack of work experience and high wage expectations are also important reasons for unemployment. The inadequacy of the education system and vocational training programs to meet the needs of the labor market is also considered to be the other main factors that negatively affect the job finding process of young people. Failure to effectively implement employment incentive policies at the local level is also among the reasons for the persistence of youth unemployment. This study aims to provide important information to local governments, policy makers, the business world and young people by revealing the causes and solutions of youth unemployment in Siirt province. A comprehensive and integrated approach is needed to reduce youth unemployment and to bring the young population into the labor force.