Covid 19 Pandemi Döneminde ABD, Almanya Ve Türkiye'de Vergi Politikaları Ve Kamu Harcaması Uygulamalarının İşsizlik Üzerindeki Etkileri

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has profoundly affected not only healthcare systems but also labor markets worldwide, leading to significant increases in unemployment rates in many countries. During this period, governments implemented expansionary fiscal policies to mitigate economic contraction and protect employment. This study comparatively examines the fiscal policies and unemployment rates of the United States (USA), Germany, and Turkey before and during the pandemic. Public spending as a share of GDP, tax revenues as a share of GDP, and unemployment rates for the years 2016, 2020, and 2022 are evaluated, and the impacts of fiscal measures introduced during the pandemic on employment are analyzed. The findings indicate that in the USA, direct transfers and comprehensive support packages enabled a rapid recovery in unemployment. In Germany, targeted programs such as short-time work allowance (Kurzarbeit) limited the rise in unemployment while maintaining a balance between fiscal discipline and economic stability. In Turkey, however, despite the increase in public spending, structural labor market issues and a decline in tax revenues resulted in persistently higher unemployment rates during the pandemic. In conclusion, although fiscal policies serve as a critical tool in supporting labor markets during crises, their effectiveness varies depending on institutional capacity and economic structures. This comparative analysis provides significant insights into the employment effects of fiscal policies and offers guidance for policy design in future crises.