Tunceli's economy is largely based on agriculture, animal husbandry and to a lesser extent on the service sector. The mountainous and hilly structure of the region causes agricultural activities to be carried out mostly on a small scale and in the form of family businesses. The main agricultural products include cereals, legumes and vegetables. Livestock breeding, especially sheep and goat breeding, is an important source of livelihood. Thanks to Tunceli's rich flora, beekeeping is also highly developed and the region's honey is known for its high quality.
Industrial activities are quite limited in Tunceli. Small-scale enterprises generally produce products for local markets. These include food processing, textiles and some handicraft products. However, the lack of large industrial facilities or factories is one of the factors limiting the economic development of the city.
The service sector has started to develop in Tunceli, especially in recent years. The growth in this sector is largely based on tourism activities. Tunceli's natural beauties and cultural richness offer a significant potential for ecotourism and cultural tourism. Hotels, restaurants and other tourism-related businesses contribute to the local economy and create job opportunities.
However, it should be noted that job opportunities in Tunceli are generally limited. The youth and educated population of the region often prefer to migrate to bigger cities for better job and career opportunities. This results in especially young labor force leaving the city, which may negatively affect the economic development of Tunceli.
In general, although Tunceli's economy is limited to traditional sectors based on natural resources, it has the potential to develop in terms of economic diversity and employment opportunities by increasing tourism potential and supporting small-scale industry. However, this development should be supported by appropriate investments and policies.