Comparison of economic benefits of university and vocational high school education among different majors in Turkey

Abstract

This paper aims to develop a better understanding about the labour market dynamics behind the unparalleled demand in higher education and dragging growth rates in vocational high school (VHS) education in Turkey. While estimating labour market outcomes of fields of study has been the subject of many studies in the West, such studies are lacking in Turkey. This study uses 2009–2012 Labour Force Surveys and reports wage differentials of majors for VHS and higher education separately and comparatively. This is important because the market premium (or penalty) to different majors can reflect not only differences in human capital but also shortages and surpluses in labour markets for different skills and majors. Understanding relative labour market outcomes of majors will help design policies for a better job-skill match in labour markets, which is a growing concern in Turkey. © 2015, © 2015 Taylor & Francis.