Türkiye Faces Highest Poverty Risk in Europe
A recent Eurostat report reveals that Türkiye now has the highest poverty risk rate in Europe, casting a stark light on the economic struggles faced by millions. This challenging situation stems from persistent inflation and escalating living expenses.
Alarming Poverty Statistics
According to the latest Eurostat data, roughly 22.2% of Türkiye’s population, or about 18.67 million individuals, are navigating life near or even below the poverty threshold. This surpasses all other European countries. The European Union average, in comparison, registers at 16.2%, encompassing roughly 72.1 million people.
Regional Comparisons
Following Türkiye, the highest poverty risk rates appear in several Baltic and Balkan nations. These include Bulgaria with 21.7%, Latvia at 21.6%, Lithuania at 21.5%, and Croatia at 20.3%. Conversely, countries such as Czechia (9.5%), Belgium (11.5%), and Denmark (11.6%) exhibit the lowest poverty risk levels within Europe.
Vulnerable Demographics
Young people in Türkiye are also disproportionately impacted. An estimated 2.87 million people aged 15 to 24, representing 24.6% of that age group, face economic hardships. This is the highest rate across Europe, with Luxembourg at 32.7% being the next highest, while the EU average stands at 21.4%. Gender disparity in poverty risk remains significant as well. In the EU, the rate for women was 16.9%, compared to 15.5% for men. The gap is more pronounced in Türkiye, where 23.3% of women are at risk of poverty.
Economic Backdrop
Since 2019, Türkiye has been wrestling with continuous double-digit annual inflation, peaking at 85.5% in October 2022. Though inflation declined from 75.5% in May 2024 to 35.4% in May 2025, financial pressures continue to weigh heavily on households. The Turkish Confederation of Labor Unions (TURK-IS) reported the poverty threshold for a family of four in May 2025 was ₺81,734 (equivalent to $2,049). Experts also agree, the current rate of inflation remains a concern as it continues to affect the average consumer. (Statista).
In Istanbul, the cost of living for a four-person household averaged ₺91,722 ($2,299) in May 2025, according to the Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA).
