TurkStat reveals grim picture: 'Birth rates below critical threshold'

The Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) has released its 2025 birth statistics. The total fertility rate in Turkey has fallen to a historic low of 1.42 children. Turkey continues to sound the alarm, having remained below the 2.1 population replacement threshold for exactly 9 years.

The population crisis threatening Turkey's future is deepening with each passing year. According to data released by TurkStat, the number of live births in Turkey was recorded as 895,374 in 2025. Of the babies born last year, 51.4 percent were boys and 48.6 percent were girls.

''HISTORIC DECLINE CONTINUES''

The "total fertility rate," which represents the average number of children a woman can have during her reproductive years, was 2.38 children in 2001 and has been in a continuous downward trend since 2014. By 2025, this rate had fallen to 1.42 children. Remaining below the 2.1 level required for the population to replace itself for the last 9 years has once again revealed that Turkey is aging rapidly.

''ŞANLIURFA AT THE TOP, BARTIN AND IZMIR AT THE BOTTOM''

When examined by province, the city with the highest total fertility rate was Şanlıurfa with 3.15 children. Şanlıurfa was followed by Şırnak with 2.53 children and Mardin with 2.23 children.

In contrast, the province with the lowest fertility rate was recorded as Bartın with 1.09 children. Following Bartın, İzmir with 1.10 children; and Eskişehir, Ankara, and Zonguldak with 1.11 children were ranked as the provinces with the lowest birth rates.

''CRUDE BIRTH RATE HAS HALVED''

There has also been a frightening decline in the crude birth rate, which represents the number of live births per thousand population. The crude birth rate, which was 20.3 per thousand in 2001, fell to 10.4 per thousand in 2025. In other words, compared to 24 years ago, the number of births per thousand population has decreased by almost half.

''ADOLESCENT FERTILITY RATE FELL, BIRTH INTERVALS LENGTHENED''

The adolescent fertility rate, which represents the average number of live-born children per thousand women in the 15-19 age group, fell from 49 per thousand in 2001 to 9 per thousand in 2025.

Time Between Births: The average time between a mother's last two births has lengthened. This period, which was 4.6 years in 2020, became 4.8 years in 2025. While the interval between the first and second birth for those having their second child was 4.3 years, this distance increased to 5.5 years for those having their third child.

''TURKEY IS 11TH ON THE EU LIST''

When comparing the total fertility rates of the 27 European Union (EU) member countries, it was observed that in 2024, the country with the highest fertility rate was Bulgaria with 1.72 children, and the lowest was Malta with 1.01 children. According to 2025 data, Turkey, with a fertility rate of 1.42, ranked 11th when included in the list of European Union member countries.

News Source: 12punto