Employment in service sector in Turkmenistan is growing
Structural changes in the economy of Turkmenistan determined a change in the ratio of the number of employees in the main spheres of activity, while the total number of employees of large and medium-sized enterprises in the country remains at the same level. So, according to the State Statistics Committee, in the first half of 2016 there was a decrease in the number of workers in the mining industry and the development of quarries, construction, transport activities and storage of goods. In connection with the optimization of the staffing of institutions and enterprises, the number of employees of administrative personnel has also decreased. At the same time, the number of employees of hotels and restaurants, recreational, sports and health centers and other organizations providing services for outdoor activities increased. Compared to the same period in 2016, the growth in this sector amounted to 11.9%. The advance development of the service sector ensured an increase in gross added value of 10% in this sector and largely determined the positive dynamics of the country's GDP (6.4%). As follows from the State Statistics Committee's report, in January-June 2017, the system of services produced 44.3% of Turkmenistan's GDP. In addition to this sphere, since the beginning of this year, the number of employees in education, health care and social services has also increased. The growth of 2.6% may not be too high, but it is indicative of a characteristic tendency to strengthen the human resources potential of social sectors. Moreover, both in these sectors and in the service sector, the share of women's employment is high, whereas in manufacturing enterprises, men predominate. For example, in the social sphere, women make up to 68%, the hotel industry and restaurants - 58.9%. A small numerical advantage of 52.4% remains with the "fair half" in the structures of financial intermediation and insurance. Men, meanwhile, are more engaged in activities with a predominance of difficult working conditions, where their numbers range from 89.9% in the extractive industry to 81.1% in water supply, purification, waste treatment and recycling.
