Here is the question everyone is wondering about... Which products are in TURKSTAT's inflation basket?

Ekonomim columnist Alaattin Aktaş has harshly criticized the price data in the item basket used by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) for its inflation calculations.

Aktaş stated that there are "inexplicable" data points in many items, ranging from egg prices to rent increases, and from specialist doctor examination fees to private school tuition. Criticizing TURKSTAT's methods with a touch of humor, Aktaş asked, "Are the chickens on strike, or is there a problem with the calculation?"

Drawing attention to the contradictory data, especially regarding egg prices, Aktaş asked, "It is as if they searched for and found the cheapest eggs on the market; it is not even 4.8 liras or 5 liras. Prices fell by 28 percent in the first half of 2024. However, there was a 93 percent increase in the second half. Can this be explained by supply-demand balance, or did the chickens go on strike and restrict supply?"

It was also noted that the annual increase in chicken meat being only 26 percent is another interesting point.

THE REALITY PROBLEM IN RENT INCREASES

Stating that there are serious contradictions in rent calculations as well, Aktaş criticized TURKSTAT for basing rent increases solely on contract renewals.

According to TURKSTAT data, while the rent increase rate in 2024 was 106 percent, he noted that the average monthly rent for December was calculated at 8 thousand 176 liras.

Aktaş said, "These figures may be valid for those who have lived in the same house for years and only experience increases at the CPI rate. However, the situation is very different for new rentals, and TURKSTAT ignores this data."

SPECIALIST DOCTOR EXAMINATION FEES

Alaattin Aktaş also touched upon the changes made to specialist doctor examination fees. Stating that these fees increased by only 7.28 percent throughout 2024, Aktaş said, "TURKSTAT announced a fee of 33.69 liras. Are they ignoring the density in city hospitals and the difficulty of getting an appointment? It is impossible to make sense of health expenditures with these figures."

Stating that the data regarding private education and daycare fees are also far from credible, Aktaş said, "According to TURKSTAT, the daycare price is 9 thousand 956 liras. Is this figure monthly or annual? If it is annual, it is too low; if it is monthly, it is excessively high. As for private high school tuition, they say 124 thousand liras. These prices do not reflect reality."

TURKSTAT MUST BE TRANSPARENT

Aktaş stated that TURKSTAT should adopt a detailed and transparent approach in its calculation methods.

Emphasizing the need for a more realistic methodology in vital areas such as health, rent, and education, Aktaş said, "For example, those who go to private hospitals and those who receive services from state hospitals should be evaluated separately. In education, a distinction should be made between private school tuition and state schools."

Stating that TURKSTAT's current data has created a serious crisis of confidence in the public, Aktaş said, "The calculations are so inconsistent that they defy logic. It is essential for TURKSTAT to resolve these problems with the new year."