The Effect of Female Unemployment on Income Inequality: A Regional Analysis for Türkiye

Tuğçe Turan Tuğçe Turan

doi:10.64086/SusWel.2026.33

Tuğçe Turan Tuğçe Turan

Year : 2026
Vol : 4
Issue : 1
Page : 39-62

DOI : 10.64086/SusWel.2026.33

Women’s employment, as one of the fundamental components of sustainable development and social welfare, plays a decisive role in both economic growth and the achievement of social justice in contemporary economies. Due to many economic, social and cultural factors, the female labor force in Türkiye is not able to participate sufficiently in the business life and remains unemployed. Accordingly, female unemployment brings many problems such as the loss of the country's production potential, social exclusion and deterioration of the family structure. Furthermore, female unemployment deepens individual and household poverty, hence leading to increasing inequality in income distribution. Female unemployment is recognized as an important cause of regional economic disparities in Türkiye. This study aims to analyze the impact of female unemployment on regional income inequality in 26 NUTS 2 regions of Türkiye. In this context, data obtained for the period of 2015-2023 is analyzed using dynamic panel data methods. The results of three different GMM estimators show that female unemployment increases income inequality at the regional level. The findings underscores the critical importance of regional policies aimed at increasing female employment. In addition, per capita income and population variables are found to have significant effects on regional income distribution according to the results of all estimators.

Cite this Article As : Turan, T. (2026). Kadın işsizliğinin gelir eşitsizliğine etkisi: Türkiye için bölgesel bir analiz. Sustainable Welfare, 4(1), 39-62.

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The Effect of Female Unemployment on Income Inequality: A Regional Analysis for Türkiye, Research Article,
2026, Vol. 4 (1)

Received : 12.05.2026, Accepted : 25.06.2026 , Published Online : 30.06.2026