24.09.2025 09:50
Social Security Expert İsa Karakaş stated that the minimum wage to be determined in 2026 will fall below the poverty line. According to Türk-İş, the cost of living for a single worker is 34,981 TL, while the current minimum wage is 63% below this figure.
As the year 2026 approaches, millions of workers are focused on the minimum wage increase that will take place at the beginning of the year. With no interim raise in July and the rising cost of living, minimum wage earners are searching for answers to the question, "How much will the minimum wage be in 2026?"
THE POVERTY LINE HAS EXCEEDED 27 THOUSAND TL
Social Security Expert İsa Karakaş made noteworthy evaluations in his article in the Turkey newspaper, emphasizing that the poverty line has exceeded 27 thousand TL. He stated that the minimum wage should be at a level that covers housing, food, health, transportation, and other essential needs.
THERE IS A DIFFERENCE OF 12 THOUSAND 877 TL
Karakaş reminded that the living cost for a single worker, as announced by Türk-İş, is 34 thousand 981 TL, saying, "There is a difference of 12 thousand 877 TL between this figure and the current minimum wage. This corresponds to a loss of 63%."
"THE NEW MINIMUM WAGE WILL REMAIN BELOW THE POVERTY LINE"
Sharing his prediction about the 2026 minimum wage, Karakaş stated, "It is not correct to give a definite figure at this time. However, it seems that the new minimum wage will be set below the poverty line, which will be announced in February 2026 and will enter workers' pockets."
A 20% ESTIMATE HAS COME
Social Security Expert Özgür Erdursun, sharing his predictions for the year 2026 regarding the minimum wage, which was increased by 30% in 2025, stated that at least a 20% increase is expected.
MINIMUM WAGE
- In 2025, it was 22,104 TL with a 30% increase.
- According to Social Security Expert Özgür Erdursun, at least a 20% increase is expected in 2026.
- In this case, the minimum wage is projected to be 26,524 TL.
- Support and tax reductions are recommended to reduce the burden on employers.
CIVIL SERVANTS AND RETIRED CIVIL SERVANTS
- End-of-year inflation expectation for 2025: around 30%.
- Increase for civil servants and retired civil servants: around 18%.
SSK AND BAĞ-KUR RETIREES
- Increase to be made in the same period: around 12%.
- The lowest retirement pension is currently 16,881 TL, and it is emphasized that these pensions are lagging behind rental prices.