Despite a growing labor market and visible job vacancies in retail, hospitality, and services, many women in Azerbaijan remain unemployed – not because of a lack of opportunities, but because of a mismatch between expectations and reality.
Across Baku and regional towns, help-wanted signs for sales assistants, waitresses, and cleaners are easy to find. Yet, as many locals observe, these positions often remain vacant.
“There are plenty of jobs if one really wants to work,” said Baku resident Naila Eldarova, noting that some women reject available options in hopes of finding managerial or office roles. “Many dream of becoming bosses or directors – not waitresses or cashiers.”
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Over Half of the Unemployed Are Women
According to the State Statistics Committee of Azerbaijan, cited in ITV reportage, as of October 1, the country had 236,400 registered unemployed, and 50.9% of them were women. The number suggests a gender imbalance that persists despite steady job growth in several sectors.
Sociologist Uzeyir Shafiyev interprets this trend as a sign of growing awareness rather than regression:
“In recent years, more women have started registering as unemployed, which previously was rare,” he explained. “That doesn’t necessarily mean unemployment is rising – it means visibility is improving. Still, we need more local opportunities for women, especially in rural areas, so they can engage in farming or small business.”
Cultural Factors and Employer Bias
Experts and citizens alike point to deeper structural and cultural factors.
One respondent interviewed by ITV noted that employers often prioritize age and appearance over skills or education.
“If a woman is above a certain age or doesn’t fit the visual standards of some employers, she is often rejected – no matter her qualifications,” the respondent said.
Others cite lingering social attitudes.
“Our mentality still plays a role,” another added. “In some professions, women are viewed as outsiders. This mentality affects both opportunity and confidence.”
Parliament Calls for Inclusive Programs
Economist and MP Vugar Bayramov, a member of the parliamentary committee on economic policy, says the state must intensify efforts to boost female participation in the workforce.
“Women and young people make up the largest share of the unemployed,” he said. “Ensuring women’s access to employment should remain a government priority.”
Bayramov emphasized that the share of women among entrepreneurs remains very low and urged the introduction of special low-interest loans, financial access programs, and entrepreneurship support initiatives tailored for women.
“Providing additional incentives for women entrepreneurs could significantly reduce unemployment and contribute to balanced economic development,” he noted.
Between Aspiration and Reality
The paradox of Azerbaijan’s labor market lies not only in the shortage of jobs but in social expectations – where education, family roles, and gender stereotypes intersect. Experts agree that structural support, from accessible childcare to small business grants, could transform the landscape.
Until then, thousands of women remain caught between available work and the kind of work they aspire to – a gap that reflects not laziness or lack of skill, but the unfinished transition of a society still redefining what “women’s work” truly means.
