Navigating Demographic Change: Reflections of the Ageing Labour Force in Türkiye's Policy Documents

Year 2025, Issue: 50, 26 - 40, 30.06.2025

Yelda Bektaş

https://doi.org/10.33613/antropolojidergisi.1608333

Abstract

Turkey is undergoing a rapid demographic transition. The aging labour force phenomenon that emerged with this process has been at the centre of economic and social policies with the risks it poses to the labour market, social security systems and economic sustainability. This article evaluates the reflection of ageing labour force problems on four main policy documents: Turkey's Healthy Ageing Action Plan and Implementation Document (2021-2026), Aging Vision Document (2023), National Action Plan on Elderly Rights (2023-2025) and Twelfth Development Plan (2024-2028). The study examines the measures proposed in these documents and explores their strengths and weaknesses in addressing workforce integration, pension reforms, pension policies and elderly poverty.
Applying the method of document analysis, the study shows that although the policies recognise the risks of the demographic transition and emphasise policy areas such as active ageing, lifelong learning and combating age discrimination, they lack detailed and comprehensive proposals on implementation strategies, employer incentives and economic security mechanisms. The paper presents targeted recommendations such as increasing workplace compliance, introducing fiscal incentives for enterprises and reforming pension systems to ensure sustainability and adequacy. It also emphasises the need for effective monitoring frameworks and public awareness campaigns to promote inclusion. By addressing these gaps, policymakers can better manage the demographic transition and unlock the potential of the ageing labour force as an asset for economic and social development.

Keywords

Demographic transtion , aging workforce , policy document

Demografik değişime yön vermek: Yaşlanan iş gücünün Türkiye'nin politika belgelerindeki yansımaları

Abstract

Türkiye hızlı bir demografik geçiş süreci içerisindedir. Bu süreçle birlikte ortaya çıkan yaşlanan işgücü olgusu, işgücü piyasası, sosyal güvenlik sistemleri ve ekonomik sürdürülebilirlik üzerinde yarattığı risklerle ekonomik ve sosyal politikaların merkezine oturmuştur. Bu makale, yaşlanan işgücü sorunlarının Türkiye Sağlıklı Yaşlanma Eylem Planı ve Uygulama Belgesi (2021-2026), Yaşlanma Vizyon Belgesi (2023), Yaşlı Hakları Ulusal Eylem Planı (2023-2025) ve On İkinci Kalkınma Planı (2024-2028) olmak üzere dört temel politika belgesine yansımasını değerlendirmektedir. Çalışmada, bu belgelerde önerilen tedbirler incelenerek belgelerin işgücü entegrasyonu, emeklilik reformları, emeklilik politikaları ve yaşlı yoksulluğunu ele alma konusundaki güçlü ve zayıf yönleri araştırılmaktadır.
Belge analizi yönteminin uygulandığı çalışma, politikaların demografik geçişin getirdiği riskleri kabul etmesine ve aktif yaşlanma, yaşam boyu öğrenme ve yaş ayrımcılığıyla mücadele gibi politika alanlarını vurgulamasına rağmen, uygulama stratejileri, işveren teşvikleri ve ekonomik güvenlik mekanizmalarında detaylı ve kapsamlı önerilerden yoksun olduğunu göstermektedir. Makalede, işyeri uyumluluğunun artırılması, işletmeler için mali teşvikler getirilmesi ve sürdürülebilirlik ve yeterliliğin sağlanması için emeklilik sistemlerinde reform yapılması gibi hedefe yönelik tavsiyeler sunulmaktadır. Ayrıca, kapsayıcılığı teşvik etmek için etkin izleme çerçevelerine ve kamuoyu farkındalık kampanyalarına duyulan ihtiyaç vurgulanmaktadır. Politika yapıcıların bu eksiklikleri giderek demografik geçiş sürecini daha iyi yönetmesi ve yaşlanan işgücünün potansiyelini ekonomik ve sosyal kalkınma için bir varlık olarak ortaya çıkarabilmesi mümkündür.

Keywords

Demografik geçiş , yaşlanan işgücü , politika belgesi

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