Turkish mothers lose 44% of their formal work after childbirth, for a decade

A new World Bank study shows that in Türkiye, women's careers are significantly derailed after having children. Their participation in the formal workforce drops by 44% and stays low for at least ten years, while men's careers are unaffected.

The economic impact of motherhood on women's careers in Türkiye was often discussed, but the scale was unclear. This paper puts a number on it: women lose nearly half their formal work after childbirth, and this effect lasts for at least a decade. This means Turkish employers and government agencies now have clear data on a major drag on women's economic participation, making it harder to ignore.