Erdoğan announces figures with a 'regrettably': 'Our justification has been proven'

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, in his speech within the scope of the Family and Population Decade Program, stated that the age of marriage in Turkey is rising, divorce rates are increasing, and consequently, the fertility rate is declining.

Erdoğan, noting that the current data is concerning, said, "Our fertility rate has fallen below 2.1, which is the population replacement level, since 2017. We estimate that the rate, which dropped to 1.48 in 2024, has unfortunately declined even further in 2025," and made the following assessment:

"This worrying picture is not just Turkey's issue. Many countries from Europe to the Far East are facing an aging population and declining birth rates. For example, while the median age in Turkey is approaching 35 percent, it is 45 in Europe. Turkey is still 10 years younger than the European Union. We are already trying to take the necessary precautions and reduce tomorrow's risks, just as we did with our call for three children."

The five priorities determined within the framework of the program were listed as follows:

• Protection of the family institution and generations
• Encouragement of the institution of marriage
• Increasing the fertility rate
• Raising youth with high qualifications and strengthening the welfare of the elderly
• In-situ development of rural areas and balanced distribution of the population

Emphasizing the importance of the family institution in his speech, Erdoğan said, "I heartfully thank every brother and sister who supports the family institution in fulfilling its primary mission in the face of increasing threats and dangers. It is a fact that the strength of a nation cannot be measured solely by the power of its army, the size of its economy, or the advancement of its technology. The strength of a nation is hidden in the children growing in cradles and the values carried from generation to generation. I believe that our Family and Population Decade document will further strengthen the steps to be taken in this direction, and I wish it to be auspicious for our nation from now on."

Stating that the weakening of the family structure also affects the social structure, Erdoğan said, "When the family weakens or is weakened, the individual weakens and society loses points. The peace of the family cannot be thought of separately from the peace of the nation, the security of the family from the security of the nation, and the unity of the family from the unity of the nation. The principle that 'the family is the foundation of society' is a concise sentence that reveals the essential identity of our nation."

"THE JUSTIFICATION OF OUR 'AT LEAST THREE CHILDREN' CALL HAS BEEN ACCEPTED"

Touching upon his past calls, Erdoğan said, "We are in a period where familiar structures are dissolving and the human search for direction and path is increasing. As the cadres bearing the responsibility of 86 million, we are striving to prepare Turkey for the future by anticipating potential risks, threats, and opportunities. We have been fighting for this since 2002, when we took on the duty of governing the country. In 2007, we drew attention to a rapidly approaching danger by saying 'at least three children.' This approach of ours drew reactions from some segments, and we were subjected to many immoral slanders, from interference in lifestyle to targeting our values of faith."

"What happened in the end? Over the time that has passed, the justification of our calls has been proven. Those who criticized us back then are now forced to accept our justification. History will repeat itself tomorrow."

"THE FIGURES ARE ALARMING"

Touching upon the effects of the digital age on the family structure, Erdoğan said, "The family is also transforming in the digital age and facing serious challenges. We are preparing Turkey for the future by anticipating the risks."

"The age of marriage is rising, divorce rates are increasing, and as a result, our fertility rate is falling. The figures are alarming for all of us. Our fertility rate has fallen below 2.1, the population replacement level, since 2017. We estimate that the rate, which fell to 1.48 in 2024, has unfortunately declined even further in 2025."

"This worrying picture is not just Turkey's issue. Many countries from Europe to the Far East are facing an aging population and declining birth rates. For example, the median age, which is approaching 35 in Turkey, is 45 in Europe. Turkey is still 10 years younger than the European Union. We are already trying to take the necessary measures, just as we did with our call for three children, to reduce tomorrow's risks today."

"WE HAVE BUILT OUR DOCUMENT ON FIVE STRATEGIES"

Providing information about the scope of the program, Erdoğan said, "With the 2025 Year of the Family, we have paved the way for awareness across the country. We have brought the issue of family and population to the agenda of society and politics. Now we want to take this to a higher level. We have designated the 2026-2035 period as the Family and Population Decade. Our vision document is the roadmap for a Turkey vision that starts with the individual, takes root in the family, grows with generations, strengthens with the population, and marches toward the future. We have built our document on five strategies."

"The first is the protection of the family institution and generations, the second priority is the promotion of marriage, the third priority is increasing the fertility rate, the fourth is the qualified upbringing of youth and elderly welfare. The fifth priority is the local development of rural areas and the balanced distribution of the population."

"Celebrating the last week of May as National Family Week will also ensure an increase in social awareness. Our public institutions and organizations will develop their strategic plans, budgets, and performance targets in a way that encompasses the family and population axis."