A comparison of Turkey with the EU in terms of human capital indicators through cluster analysis

• Published in: Eskisehir Osmangazi Üniversitesi sosyal bilimler dergisi Vol. 10; no. 1; pp. 1 - 30
• Main Authors: Öz, Bülent, Taban, Sami, Kar, Muhsin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: Turkish
• Published: 01.06.2009
• Subjects: Cluster analysis; Comparative analysis; Development policy; Economic development; European Union; Growth theory; Human capital; Turkey
• ISSN: 1302-9703

This paper compares Turkey with the EU countries in terms of compositions of human capital (education and health) and labour force indicators. This comparison is very important in the sense that the potential for human capital of Turkey may be an opportunity as well as a threat in the process of the EU membership. A total of 23 indicators including education (6), health (7) and labour force (10) are used in the research to compare Turkey with EU through cluster analysis. The results obtained by a comparison for each of the three group of indicators reveal that Turkey constitutes a separate cluster and does not resemble any member country. These empirical results do not support the view that Turkey's potential for human capital does create an opportunity in the future of the EU. It must be kept in mind that for the EU the quality of human capital is as important as quantity of that. For this reason, as far as the negotiation process is concerned, Turkey should carry out a comprehensive reform in these areas and quickly improve the quality of her human capital to transform a potential threat to an opportunity. Reprinted by permission of the Eskisehir Osmangazi University