Skip to main content

Youth unemployment poses latest danger to Turkey

Young Turks, especially in Turkey's volatile southeast, are facing an increasingly poor employment outlook, leaving them more susceptible to crime and violence.

Unemployed teachers display banners which translate as  "We want unconditional appointment"  and "We will resist and win." during a demonstration in Ankara on August 4, 2012.  The teachers gathered to demand jobs as unemployment in the profession increases.   AFP PHOTO/ADEM ALTAN        (Photo credit should read ADEM ALTAN/AFP/GettyImages)
Unemployed teachers display banners at a protest to demand jobs in Ankara, Aug. 4, 2012. — ADEM ALTAN/AFP/GettyImages

Turkey is currently preoccupied with many obvious problems. But there's one up-and-coming issue that deserves immediate attention, as it has the potential to become a major security risk: What happens when young people can't find jobs?

“I only have 150 lira [$40] in my pocket. I can live on that for 10 more days. Before the [government-Kurdish] clashes, I used to work in a restaurant, but now most of the city is in rubble and I have no job,” 21-year-old A.A., who wanted to be identified only by his initials, told Al-Monitor. He had just returned from Mardin to Turkey’s predominantly Kurdish town of Sirnak.

Subscribe for unlimited access

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more

$14 monthly or $100 annually ($8.33/month)
OR

Continue reading this article for free

All news, events, memos, reports, and analysis, and access all 10 of our newsletters. Learn more.

By signing up, you agree to Al-Monitor’s Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy. Already have an account? Log in