Population warning from Destici: 'It will fall below 50 million'

Great Unity Party (BBP) Chairman Mustafa Destici made striking assessments regarding current issues at his party's Ordinary Provincial Congress in Eskişehir. Destici took the floor after the opening speeches at the congress, which was held at the Hasan Polatkan Culture Center with high attendance. In his speech, Destici made important observations about Turkey's declining population, industrial investments, and changes in its social structure.

Stating that Turkey's demographic structure is at risk, Mustafa Destici expressed that there has been a serious decline in the number of children families have over the last 30 years. Pointing out that the alarming decrease in the fertility rate poses serious threats to the country's future, he issued the following warning:

“Thirty years ago, the number of children per family was 3, while today it has fallen below 1.5. We are among the top 5 nations in the world whose generations are most rapidly disappearing. If it continues like this, we will fall below 50 million.”

On the other hand, touching upon Eskişehir's industrial potential, Destici underlined that the Günyüzü district of Eskişehir holds an important place in the plans to shift production currently congested in the Marmara Region to other parts of the country. He stated that the 38 million square meter new industrial zone investment would make a great contribution to the city and regional economy.

In his speech, Destici also emphasized the dangerous digital addiction that today's children face. Referring to the recent school attacks that have occupied the country's agenda, Destici offered his condolences to the families of the children and teachers who were attacked, and stated that young people are distancing themselves from real life and experiencing psychological problems due to the influence of the digital world.

ON DEMOGRAPHIC DECLINE AND CHANGES IN FAMILY STRUCTURE

Drawing attention to the disintegration of the family structure in Turkey and the fact that the fertility rate has decreased by almost half, Destici said that this drop in the number of children also jeopardizes the country's population targets. He summarized the change with the following words:

"My dear brothers and sisters, my valued fellow citizens; look, we are declining in terms of population. Thirty years ago, the number of children per family was 3, while today it has fallen below 1.5. I am speaking with the definition used in world literature; we are among the top 5 nations whose generations are most rapidly disappearing. In other words, if it continues like this, you know we had a dream of exceeding 100 million, we will fall below 50 million. Then we will lose our family, we will lose our country, and we will lose our lands. Therefore, we must protect our family structure. We must marry off our children at as young an age as possible. After they marry, we must openly encourage them to have children. The disadvantaged segments, the segments experiencing the greatest economic hardship, are the minimum wage earners. That is why we say; since you cannot increase it across the board and you say 'there is a budget constraint,' then a 'Minimum Household Livelihood Figure Determination Commission' should be established, similar to the Minimum Wage Determination Commission."

At the end of his speech, Mustafa Destici conveyed his condolences for the late Eskişehir journalist Ertuğrul Yılmaz and wished Eskişehirspor success. The program was attended by AK Party Eskişehir Deputy Ayşen Gürcan, AK Party Eskişehir Provincial Chairman Gürhan Albayrak, various protocol members, and numerous party members.