The Long March to Europe.  Where does Turkey Stand in Terms of Economic Criteria? Cover Image
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Der lange Marsch nach Europa: Wo steht die Türkei bei den ökonomischen Kriterien?
The Long March to Europe. Where does Turkey Stand in Terms of Economic Criteria?

Author(s): Siegfried Schultz
Subject(s): Politics / Political Sciences
Published by: Südosteuropa Gesellschaft e.V.

Summary/Abstract: Turkey has overcome its severe economic crisis. In the last five years, remarkable progress has been made and most macroeconomic indicators paint a fairly rosy picture. Yet a number of problems still remain. Compared to other countries, Turkey is late in shifting the oversized agricultural labour force into other sectors of the economy. Unemployment is high, particularly among women and young people. Furthermore, the informal sector is large. Well-intended labour regulations (restrictions on fixed-term workers, limitations on temp agencies, severance requirements) currently hinder job creation. Redesigning the national educational system is one means of solving some of these problems. The challenge is to transform the school system from one that provides a small number of students with an education at the highest international standards into one that educates all its students well. At the same time, it will be necessary to step up investment in research and development. Remaining problems include the growing debt burden, the ongoing current account deficit financed by sizeable volatile portfolio inflows from abroad, and wide regional disparity in development levels. Success on the road to Europe is possible but requires ongoing structural reform. At this juncture, standing still would actually mean slipping back.

  • Issue Year: 2006
  • Issue No: 03
  • Page Range: 54-63
  • Page Count: 10
  • Language: German