The productive structures of Turkey are fragile because they are burdened by limited agricultural, mineral, infrastructural, technical and financial resources. The transition from a traditional economic system to a more productive, modern and competitive one has caused inevitable tensions in the country. The average annual increase of the national product (over 5%, during the 1970s and 1980s) was supported by a forced industrialization of the country. However, the latter penalized fragile agriculture, mainly destined for internal consumption, and led to a strong rural exodus. As a result, housing and employment problems have increased in cities because the industry itself, largely dependent on foreign financial contributions and structurally weak, it could not create an adequate number of new jobs. This explains how despite the massive emigration of labor abroad, the level of unemployment is 10.5% (2008) of the active population. Mirror of the marginal role of women in society, female unemployment which reaches 26.7% (2008). The fall of the Soviet Empire pushed Turkey to intensify relations with the other countries of Central Asia and the Caucasus, confirming itself as production hub towards Russia and the aforementioned Central Asian area. In particular, it signed an agreement with neighboring Iran in 1997 for the supply of natural gas, even if the two countries are in competition with each other, as symbols of opposing reference models, for the geopolitical supremacy of Central Asia. post-Soviet with an Islamic majority; and with all the republics of this unstable geopolitical area it has specifically consolidated its relations. As regards foreign direct investments, Turkey mainly attracts flows from the United States, the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom, with a prevalence in the tourism, textile and car components sectors. After 2001, international events have greatly influenced the flow of foreign direct investments and only since 2004 has there been a certain recovery, also thanks to the new sector law of 2003. In addition to the traditional investment area, namely the Aegean coast and the İstanbul region, in recent years the regions of Central Anatolia and Gazientep have been looked at with greater interest. Turkey, together with Malta and Cyprus, was for the first time integrated into the Sixth European Framework Program for Research and Technological Development 2003-6, which aims to stimulate joint programs and enhance innovation. See act-test-centers for higher education in Turkey.
For now, the interest of the private sector remains weak and the share of GDP devoted to research and development (0.7% in 2002) is far below the European average. Research and development activities are almost completely concentrated in universities and public institutes and the global number of researchers reaches the roughly one-tenth of the EU average. From 1999 to 2003, the Turkish economy entered a phase of recession with a decline in GDP of approx. 5%. and with a contraction of industrial production. Inflation and external debt have increased. Among the causes of this unfavorable economic phase are the various earthquakes that took place between August and November 1999 in the most industrialized part of the country which is that of N. The crisis of the Asian economies has contributed to aggravate the situation. Estimates of Among the causes of this unfavorable economic phase are the various earthquakes that took place between August and November 1999 in the most industrialized part of the country which is that of N. The crisis of the Asian economies has contributed to aggravate the situation. Estimates of Among the causes of this unfavorable economic phase are the various earthquakes that took place between August and November 1999 in the most industrialized part of the country which is that of N. The crisis of the Asian economies has contributed to aggravate the situation. Estimates of UNICEF indicate that 14.2% of the population lives below the poverty line. In 2008, the Turkish GDP was 729,443 million US dollars; the GDP / population ratio was 10,472 US dollars. The recession worsened in 2000 following a severe banking crisis (13 bankrupt private banks and 3 public banks under receivership). In February 2001, the decision to let the currency float led to a devaluation of 50%, accompanied by inflation of 52.2%, rising unemployment and a negative GDP trend (–3%). Between 2003 and 2004, this recessionary phase was reversed and the Turkish economy again recorded sustained growth rates in GNP (5.5%), thanks to the significant increase in consumption and private investment. In 2019, the Turkish GDP was 743,708 million US dollars; the GDP / population ratio was US $ 8,958 The COVID-19 pandemic has added to the difficult political situation and insecurity, holding back tourism and foreign investment, on which the rapid growth of recent years has been based. The growing deficit and lack of reforms have undermined international confidence and, coupled with the slowdown in the economy, have led to the withdrawal of foreign capital. The lira continued to depreciate and the Turkish economy, heavily dependent on credit, was crushed by the burden of debt. The already high unemployment rate is growing steadily. The growing deficit and lack of reforms have undermined international confidence and, coupled with the slowdown in the economy, have led to the withdrawal of foreign capital. The lira continued to depreciate and the Turkish economy, heavily dependent on credit, was crushed by the burden of debt. The already high unemployment rate is growing steadily. The growing deficit and lack of reforms have undermined international confidence and, combined with the slowdown in the economy, have led to the withdrawal of foreign capital. The lira continued to depreciate and the Turkish economy, heavily dependent on credit, was crushed by the burden of debt. The already high unemployment rate is growing steadily.
