Diyarbakir on the Happiness Map: Young Women Explain Why They Are Not Happy

By Büşra Yentürk – April 23, 2025

According to TUIK’s 2024 Life Satisfaction Survey, Diyarbakir has become Turkey’s unhappiest city with an unhappiness rate of 24.75%. This is not just a statistic but an indicator of the city’s deepening problems. Economic difficulties, unemployment, future anxiety and social inequality have all contributed to the unhappiness of Diyarbakir residents.

A city under the weight of problems

Diyarbakir is one of Turkey’s largest cities, yet it ranks poorly in economic and social indicators. According to the Inequality Bulletin data, the city ranks 68th among 81 cities in the Ministry of Industry and Technology’s Socio-Economic Development Index (SEGE). In TUIK’s Life Index, it falls to 75th place. Employment statistics paint an even bleaker picture: Diyarbakir ranks 77th in employment rate and has the 5th highest unemployment rate in Turkey. The proportion of people satisfied with their jobs ranks only 71st among the 81 cities.

Poverty engulfs the city

These figures aren’t merely cold statistics; they reflect the reality of thousands of people living in Diyarbakir. Income inequality and poverty have thoroughly gripped the city. Diyarbakir ranks 71st in per capita savings deposits and is the 4th worst city in the country in terms of households reporting they cannot meet their basic needs. Low socio-economic development levels, rising unemployment, income inequality, and inadequacies in health and education services complete the picture of the city’s unhappiness.

Stories behind the numbers

Behind these statistics lies real life. To understand the personal stories behind the unhappiness rates, we spoke with young women living in Diyarbakir. These women, struggling with unemployment, livelihood difficulties, and future anxiety, share realities beyond the numbers.

“Identity, inequality and unhappiness are intertwined”

Berrin (23), a university student we interviewed, said: “The unhappiness in Diyarbakir is not just due to economic and social problems; this situation cannot be understood without the Kurdish issue,” and continued: “Diyarbakir’s low ranking in the statistics is not coincidental. Due to the Kurdish issue, investment here is limited, job opportunities are few, and many young people are unemployed. This has become a structural problem. These economic inequalities are linked to the Kurdish issue.”

Kurdish identity issues also contribute to unhappiness

Researcher Merve (35) says that the Kurdish issue, which has remained unresolved, creates not only economic unhappiness but also ethnic identity-based unhappiness:

“Difficulties in political participation and freedom of expression are also linked to the Kurdish issue and increase social unhappiness. The appointment of trustees to municipalities, attempts to close political parties, and barriers to using Kurdish in public life cause young people to feel they cannot freely live their identity. This diminishes their sense of belonging and hope.”

“The burden of being a woman”

Teacher Rojda (33) says that being a woman itself is a major challenge: “Sometimes being a young woman in Diyarbakir feels like a major battle. Social spaces are limited, jobs women can do are limited, and women’s roles and duties here are defined by old traditions. Even if we want to create our own lives, we constantly hear that we cannot. This makes people feel terrible.”

Women’s demand: Equality and freedom

The most fundamental demand of young Diyarbakir women is a more equal and free environment. They say that when inequality decreases, the color of the happiness map will also change. Songül (28), a housewife, said: “Behind the unhappiness rates are not only economic inequalities but also differences between men and women. Women encounter invisible barriers in work and social life. The labor of non-working women is already invisible. I constantly feel that we are not equal. This breaks my morale.”

Conclusion

The unhappiness rate measured in Diyarbakir is not only due to economic inequalities, gender differences, and social class but also the result of multi-layered inequality stemming from the Kurdish issue. The demand for “equality” expressed by young women is not only for women like themselves but also for all Kurds in the region.

Sources: