THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN UNEMPLOYMENT, EMPLOYMENT EXPECTATIONS AND HAPPINESS IN TURKEY FOR THE YEARS: 2003-2018

Abstract

This study analyses the relationship between employment/unemployment, expectations, and happiness in Turkey by using the Life Satisfaction Survey conducted regularly by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) since 2003. In the study, happiness of unemployed individuals comprising of different people between 2003-2018 has been analyzed through a comparison of those in employment versus those outside of the workforce. In addition to the relationship between unemployment and happiness; the entire sample between the ages of 18-64 and the unemployed were compared in terms of their employment expectations for the following year for the country as well as their personal employment expectations and happiness. The results of the study indicate that being unemployed is correlated with negative life satisfaction, and there is a negative correlation between happiness and unemployment. As a result of the study, it is determined that there is a difference between those who live in the region with a high unemployment rate and those who live in the region with a low unemployment rate. Accordingly, the life satisfaction of an unemployed person living in an area with a high unemployment rate is less negatively affected than an unemployed person living in an area with a low unemployment rate.

Keywords

• Employment Expectations
• Happiness
• Subjective Well-Being
• Turkey
• Unemployment

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