IPA President Buğra Gökce draws attention to the danger awaiting Turkey! 'If it continues like this, Syrians...'

AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan repeats at every opportunity that there should be 3 children in every family, while birth rates in Turkey have fallen to record levels due to the economic crisis.

According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the fertility rate, which is the average number of children a woman gives birth to during her lifetime, fell from 2.38 in 2001 to 1.51 in 2023.

Istanbul Planning Agency (IPA) President Buğra Gökce emphasized that the population is aging and drew attention to the danger awaiting Turkey.

"IF IT CONTINUES LIKE THIS, A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF THE POPULATION LIVING IN TURKEY WILL BE SYRIANS"

Sharing on his X account, Gökce stated, "The fertility rate of Syrians under temporary protection status is at the 5.3 level. The average age of Syrians is 22.3, and 18.6 percent of the Syrian population is in the 15-24 age group. If this dynamic continues, a significant portion of the population living in Turkey will be Syrians."

Underlining that the economic crisis is the main reason for the decline in the fertility rate in Turkey, Gökce said, "The increase in the urban population and impoverishment both lower the marriage rate and cause those who think they cannot take care of their children due to economic concerns to have fewer children."

In this direction, Gökce listed the social municipalism projects that the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) will implement.

The entirety of Gökce's post is as follows;

"Turkey's population is aging, the fertility rate is falling, and population data shows that we are facing a demographic threat.

To protect the population, the fertility rate needs to be at least 2.1. When it falls below this rate, the population decreases.

While the fertility rate in Turkey was 2.1 in 2002, it fell to 1.51 in 2023.

In the same period, the average age of mothers rose from 26.8 to 29.2. As the aging trend increases, the fertility rate will also experience a decline.

The average fertility rate in the world is 2.4. Today, Turkey is behind countries such as Denmark (1.8), France (1.8), the USA (1.8), England (1.7), and Germany (1.6) in terms of fertility rate.

The fertility rate in Ankara, Istanbul, and Izmir is at the 1.2 level. This level is below all countries in the world except Andorra and South Korea.

The fertility rate of Syrians under temporary protection status is at the 5.3 level. The average age of Syrians is 22.3, and 18.6 percent of the Syrian population is in the 15-24 age group. If this dynamic continues, a significant portion of the population living in Turkey will be Syrians.

The decrease in the birth rate and the aging of the population will create major problems in many areas, from the pension system to the social insurance system, and from employment to production. Steps must be taken now for the major crises that demographic change will create, and the social security system must be designed in accordance with the needs of the population living in older and smaller households.

INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF PEOPLE LIVING ALONE

The number of people living alone in Turkey has increased from 2.9 million to 5.2 million in 10 years. In Istanbul alone, the number of households where 1 person lives is 933 thousand. While increasing home care services is a duty for central and local governments, housing production must also be adapted to the changing structure, and smaller, easier-to-maintain apartments must be produced.

The most important reason for the decline in the fertility rate is the economy. The increase in the urban population and impoverishment both lower the marriage rate and cause those who think they cannot take care of their children due to economic concerns to have fewer children.

That is why the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality is making a major breakthrough in terms of social municipalism.

? Within one year, we will provide social support to 600 thousand households a total of 4 million times directly.

? So that newly married couples can establish their homes, we will provide a one-time support of 30 thousand TL to a total of 100 thousand couples within 5 years. We will triple the Newborn Support package we have been providing since 2019.

? We provided diaper and formula support to 10 thousand households and a pregnancy support package to 100 thousand expectant mothers.

? The number of users of the Mother Card application, which offers free transportation to mothers with children between the ages of 0-4, has exceeded 650 thousand. This application continues at full speed.

? We will provide 3 thousand TL of educational support to 100 thousand students who are disabled, children of martyrs, or have lost a parent, and who are studying in primary, secondary, high schools, and rehabilitation centers with poverty status.

? We provided 2 million nutrition support packages to our students. We will continue to provide support packages in 39 districts."

?? Turkey's population is aging, the fertility rate is falling, and population data shows that we are facing a demographic threat.

?? To protect the population, the fertility rate needs to be at least 2.1. When it falls below this rate, the population decreases.

?? In 2002 in Turkey… pic.twitter.com/PgVeRsd7Sj

— Dr. Buğra Gökce (@gokcebugra) May 18, 2024

News Source: 12punto