Summary
Turkey is facing a significant decline in birth rates, which is leading to a rapidly aging population. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan calls this trend a "demographic disaster" and is promoting policies to encourage more births. The country's fertility rate has dropped below the level needed to maintain its population size, causing concerns about future economic and social impacts.
Key Facts
- Turkey's population is over 85 million.
- The fertility rate has been declining for 11 years, now at 1.48 children per woman.
- A fertility rate below 2.1 is not enough to keep the population size stable.
- President Erdoğan is initiating policies to boost birth rates, such as interest-free loans for newlyweds.
- Economic challenges and social changes contribute to fewer births, like higher living costs and delayed marriages.
- Experts predict over 25% of Turkey's population could be over 65 years old within 25 years.
- This demographic shift could stress Turkey's social security system.
