Özet:

As is well known fact that women’s full integration into the labour market plays a key role for their personal and social development and also serves to increase the general economic efficiency of the country. However, Turkish women’s participation in paid work is at the lowest level among the European Union countries. According to the latest official statistics the labour force participation rate is 71.05 % for males and 30.8% for females (TUIK, 2015). The existing literature relating to women’s labour force participation in Turkey is mostly based on analyzing main determinants of the participation decision and the nature and the characteristics of women in labour force (Gedikli, 2014; Dayioglu & Kirdar, 2010; Ercan and et al; 2010; Goksel, 2012, Ilkkaracan, 2012). There has been paid a little attention to the analysis of female labour market inactivity especially the reasons of women’s non-participation in the labour market. Therefore the purpose of this study is to examine the characteristics of non-working women in Bandirma in Turkey. Using micro level data, we explores the main determinants of non-working decision of women specifically, the role of family age, income, education, dependent child age, marital status, and also social and traditional norms. The results indicate that being married, childcare responsibilities, education, and social and traditional norms are very important factors that affect women’s decision to work. The findings of this study aim o provide useful material for policy makers and researchers to specify policy implication to increase women’s labour participation in Turkey.

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