Birth rate has fallen rapidly: AKP to hold workshop

AKP Deputy Head of Social Policies Hakkı Öztürk stated in a press release that they decided to organize a workshop following the announcement by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) that the total fertility rate in Turkey, which was 2.38 in 2001, had fallen to 1.51 children in 2023.

Öztürk announced that the workshop, which will be attended by Head of Social Policies Fatma Betül Sayan Kaya and various academics, will be held on July 2. He noted that the workshop will discuss proposals to counter the decline in the population growth rate, which will subsequently be presented to the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

MEASURES TO BE DISCUSSED

Stating that they are preparing implementation plans for short, medium, and long-term "solution packages" that encompass many topics through a multidisciplinary approach, Öztürk explained that these have economic, cultural, and political dimensions.

Öztürk said, "There are three main headings; we will decide on general packages and solution proposals in this workshop, such as extending maternity leave, providing financial support for childcare or nursery processes while women are in the workforce, and providing incentives for second and third children."

Pointing out that the slowdown in population growth has become a problem that all countries in the world are struggling with, Öztürk stated that they are examining countries that have achieved success in this area.

Stating that they will develop a model suitable for Turkey's culture and traditions by benefiting from these examples, Öztürk added:

"With the measures we will take, we aim to put forward a mechanism that will advance us toward becoming a great Turkey by both preserving and increasing the number of our young and educated population, which is called the 'demographic window of opportunity'."

News Source: 12punto