Fertility rate dropped in Turkey: Economic hardships are influential

According to the "Demographic Transformation and Strategies in Turkey" report published by the Institute for Social Studies, Turkey's total fertility rate dropped from 2.19 children per woman in 2014 to 1.42 in 2025. The report stated that economic conditions, the burden of housing and food expenditures for low-income families, and difficulties in accessing childcare services have been influential in this decline.

According to the report, 75.9% of the fertility loss in the 2021-2025 period stemmed from the drop in the rate of having a second child. The rate of women giving birth to their first child having a second child fell from 0.906 in 2013 to 0.712 in 2025. Housing, rent, and food expenses constituted 67.9% of the consumption expenditures of the lowest 20% income segment.

While the employment rate of women aged 25-49 with children under three years old in their households remained at 26.9%, this rate was recorded as 90.9% for men. 83% of working individuals undertaking the care responsibility of young children do not benefit from professional care services. In August 2026, the annual price increase in educational services reached 53.44%.