EFFECTS OF FIELD OF EDUCATION ON LABOR MARKET OUTCOMES: THE CASE OF TÜRKİYE

Öz

This study explores the influence of higher education fields on labor market outcomes in Türkiye, addressing a critical gap in the literature. Utilizing data from Household Labor Force Survey from 2009 to 2023, the analysis examines how field-specific education impacts employment probabilities, wage disparities, and gender differences. The findings reveal significant variations across disciplines, with science, technology, health, and law graduates experiencing higher employment rates and earnings compared to humanities and arts graduates. Gender disparities persist, with women disproportionately selecting lower-paying fields and facing barriers in traditionally male-dominated sectors. The results highlight the interplay between educational specialization, societal norms, and labor market structures. This research underscores the need for targeted policies to align educational outputs with labor market demands, reduce skill mismatches, and promote gender equity. These findings contribute valuable insights for policymakers and educators aiming to optimize the socio-economic returns of higher education in Türkiye.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Field of education
• Wage inequality
• Skill mismatch
• Labor market outcomes
• Survey data

Eğitim Alanının İşgücü Piyasası Çıktılarına Etkileri: Türkiye Örneği

Öz

Bu çalışma, Türkiye'deki yükseköğretim alanlarının işgücü piyasası sonuçları üzerindeki etkisini inceleyerek literatürdeki önemli bir boşluğu ele almaktadır. 2009-2023 yıllarına ait Hanehalkı İşgücü Anketi verilerinden yararlanarak, alan bazlı eğitimin istihdam olasılıkları, ücret farklılıkları ve cinsiyet farkları üzerindeki etkisini analiz etmektedir. Bulgular, bilim, teknoloji, sağlık ve hukuk mezunlarının beşeri bilimler ve sanat mezunlarına kıyasla daha yüksek istihdam oranları ve kazançlar elde ettiklerini göstermektedir. Cinsiyet eşitsizlikleri devam etmekte; kadınlar orantısız bir şekilde daha düşük ücretli alanları seçmekte ve geleneksel olarak erkeklerin yoğun olduğu sektörlerde engellerle karşılaşmaktadır. Sonuçlar, eğitimde uzmanlaşma, toplumsal normlar ve işgücü piyasası yapıları arasındaki etkileşimi vurgulamaktadır. Bu araştırma, eğitim çıktılarının işgücü piyasası talepleriyle uyumlu hale getirilmesi, beceri uyumsuzluklarının azaltılması ve cinsiyet eşitliğinin teşvik edilmesi için hedefe yönelik politikaların gerekliliğini ortaya koymaktadır. Bulgular, Türkiye'de yükseköğretimin sosyo-ekonomik getirilerini optimize etmeyi hedefleyen politika yapıcılar ve eğitimciler için değerli doneler sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Eğitim Alanı
• Beceri Uyumsuzluğu
• İşgücü Piyasası Çıktıları
• Ücret Eşitsizliği
• Anket Verisi

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