Research Article

The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market

Volume: 11 Number: 2 June 30, 2026
TR EN

The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market

Abstract

This study analyzes the labor market effects of the rapid influx of Syrian refugees into Türkiye beginning in 2011. Using micro-level Household Labor Force Survey data from the Turkish Statistical Institute for the period 2009–2015, the employment effects of the increase in the Syrian refugee population are estimated with a Difference-in-Differences method. Propensity Score Matching is implemented to strengthen the validity of the Difference-in-Differences estimates and ensure comparability between the treatment and control groups. This approach balances observable structural differences and, in turn, enhances the internal consistency of the estimates. In addition, the empirical framework is further extended by incorporating regional trade openness into the model, a proxy for integration into global production networks. The results show that the increase in the Syrian refugee population exerts a statistically significant and negative effect on the employment prospects of native workers, and that this adverse impact is particularly pronounced for women and for low-skilled workers within the native labor force. Moreover, higher levels of regional trade openness have a positive effect on employment, especially for low-skilled native workers. These findings highlight the importance of policies that support native workers, particularly in regions facing high refugee inflows.

Keywords

Thanks

The authors would like to thank Asst. Prof. Hacı Mevlüt Karataş for providing essential data support and for his valuable contributions to the empirical framework of this study.

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Labor Economics

Journal Section

Research Article

Publication Date

June 30, 2026

Submission Date

December 26, 2025

Acceptance Date

May 31, 2026

Published in Issue

Year 2026 Volume: 11 Number: 2

APA
Keyif, H. N., & Pişkin, E. (2026). The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market. Ekonomi Politika Ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi, 11(2), 534-557. https://doi.org/10.30784/epfad.1849746
AMA
1.Keyif HN, Pişkin E. The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market. EPF Journal. 2026;11(2):534-557. doi:10.30784/epfad.1849746
Chicago
Keyif, Hasibe Nüget, and Erhan Pişkin. 2026. “The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market”. Ekonomi Politika Ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi 11 (2): 534-57. https://doi.org/10.30784/epfad.1849746.
EndNote
Keyif HN, Pişkin E (June 1, 2026) The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market. Ekonomi Politika ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi 11 2 534–557.
IEEE
[1]H. N. Keyif and E. Pişkin, “The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market”, EPF Journal, vol. 11, no. 2, pp. 534–557, June 2026, doi: 10.30784/epfad.1849746.
ISNAD
Keyif, Hasibe Nüget - Pişkin, Erhan. “The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market”. Ekonomi Politika ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi 11/2 (June 1, 2026): 534-557. https://doi.org/10.30784/epfad.1849746.
JAMA
1.Keyif HN, Pişkin E. The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market. EPF Journal. 2026;11:534–557.
MLA
Keyif, Hasibe Nüget, and Erhan Pişkin. “The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market”. Ekonomi Politika Ve Finans Araştırmaları Dergisi, vol. 11, no. 2, June 2026, pp. 534-57, doi:10.30784/epfad.1849746.
Vancouver
1.Hasibe Nüget Keyif, Erhan Pişkin. The Effects of Syrian Refugees and Regional Trade Openness on Türkiye’s Labor Market. EPF Journal. 2026 Jun. 1;11(2):534-57. doi:10.30784/epfad.1849746