About a third of them are also neither studying nor in vocational training — one of the highest rates in the OECD. The gender gap is striking: women are 2.5 times more likely to be out of the labor force, with many citing childcare as the main reason.

Jobs exist — but quality doesn’t. Most young people who do work are in precarious, low-paying positions. Around 7% earn up to $215 a month, about 30% make between $430–$645, and another 25% earn $645–$860. Many report working without insurance, benefits, or job stability. Confidence in education is fading: 32% believe the system doesn’t prepare them for life, and 36% say it doesn’t help them find employment.

Hope looks elsewhere. A staggering 67% of young Turks want to emigrate in search of better opportunities, and 36% say they see no future for themselves in Turkey. The message to President Erdoğan is clear: without addressing wages, job quality, access to training, and childcare frameworks, Turkey risks losing an entire generation — as its youth’s frustration and desire to leave continue to grow.