Women’s income one third of men in Turkey

Şebnem Turhan ISTANBUL

National income per women is less than one third of men’s income.

Turkey’s failure in narrowing the gender pay gap has been highlighted by a United Nations Development Program (UNDP) index, which shows how the gross national income (GNI) is three times higher for men.

According to the Gender Development Index (GDI), which for the first time is measuring the gender gap in human development achievements for 148 countries, the estimated GNI for men in Turkey is $28,318, compared with women who earn $8,813.

Turkey, which was listed at 118th out of 148 countries, ranking among the “medium human development” countries, failed in several other aspects, including women’s education and several development indicators.

Between 2002 and 2012, the average number of years of schooling for women is 6.4 years, in comparison with men where the rate is 8.7 years. In line with realities, the expectations of schooling for women also remain at 13.8 years, whereas it is 15 years for men.