Individual Determinants of Unemployment Duration in Turkey

In this study, individual factors affecting the unemployment duration of unemployed persons in the labour market of Turkey are examined. For this purpose, the unemployed persons in 15 cities from different regions of Turkey have been surveyed using a questionnaire prepared through reviewing the studies done before. The number of questionnaires administered is 2162. Survival analysis has been used as the econometric method so that social, demographic and economic factors influencing the unemployment duration of persons have been specified. Then, findings have been employed to put forward some suggestions for the solution to the problem of high rates of unemployment in Turkey. Besides, the study is considered to provide a better understanding as to the labour market of the country, thereby contributing to the discussions as regards to the problem of unemployment, which is among the most important economic issues of the country. Furthermore, it is deemed to shape the policy aiming to shorten the unemployment duration