TÜİK announces: Here are the provinces with the highest poverty rates
The results of the Income and Living Conditions Survey by TÜİK provide conflicting signals. While both a decrease and an increase in poverty rates are observed, differences between age groups are also noteworthy.
12punto
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) has announced the results of its Income and Living Conditions Survey. According to the survey, the rate of those at risk of poverty or social exclusion in Turkey in 2023 decreased in the 0-17 and 18-64 age groups compared to the previous two years, while it increased in the 65 and over age group.
According to the survey, the poverty rate, determined by taking 50 percent of the median equivalized household disposable income, was 13.9 percent in 2023, a decrease of 0.5 points compared to the previous year. The poverty rate determined by taking 60 percent of the median income increased by 0.1 points to 21.7 percent.
When looking at the distribution of the poverty rate by year, it was observed that the rate increased during 2019 and 2020, which were affected by the coronavirus pandemic. The rate, which was announced as 21.2 percent in 2018, rose to 21.3 percent in 2019 and 21.9 percent in 2020. The rate, which fell to 21.3 percent in 2021, increased again in 2022 to 21.6 percent.
When the poverty rate across Turkey is examined by region, the provinces with the highest poverty rates were located in the TR82 region. These regions were followed by the TR10 and TRA2 regions. The regions with low poverty rates were TRC1, TRC3, and TRC2. Due to the earthquake disaster, field application could not be carried out in the TR63 region, which includes the provinces of Hatay, Kahramanmaraş, and Osmaniye.
The rate of those at risk of poverty or social exclusion nationwide followed a fluctuating course in the period covering 2015 and 2023. The rate, which was 34 percent in 2015, decreased to 30.4 percent by 2018. The rate, which showed an increase in 2019, 2020, and 2021, fell to 31 percent in 2023. In 2023, this rate was recorded as 28.9 percent for men and 33.1 percent for women.
HIGHEST IN THE 0-17 AGE RANGE
When examined by age group, in 2023, 39.7 percent of those in the 0-17 age range, 28 percent in the 18-64 age range, and 26.6 percent in the 65 and over age group were found to be at risk of poverty or social exclusion. During this period, while a decrease was observed in the 0-17 and 18-64 age groups compared to the previous two years, an increase was recorded in the 65 and over age group. For example, the rate of those at risk of poverty or social exclusion in the 65 and over age group was 16.8 percent in 2021, rising to 20.5 percent in 2022.