27.09.2025 12:14
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, the founding rector of Üsküdar University, who drew attention to the population crisis that President Erdoğan warned is a "greater threat than war," stated that with the decline in the fertility rate, Turkey's population could decrease from 80 million to 60 million within 30 years.
Supported by the General Directorate of Civil Society Relations under the Ministry of Interior, and with the contributions of Üsküdar University academic consultancy, Dilovası District Governorship, Dilovası Municipality, and Kocaeli Associations Federation, the opening program of the project 'Healthy Relationships, Strong Marriages' was held in the Dilovası district of Kocaeli.
"IF THE FAMILY IS PEACEFUL, THE SOCIETY WILL BE PEACEFUL TOO" Speaking at the opening, Dr. Nebiye Yaşar stated that the 'Social Innovation Model Project', which is considered important by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, the Ministry of Interior, and the Ministry of Justice, is being implemented for the first time in Kocaeli's Dilovası district as a pilot application that will serve as an example in Turkey. Dr. Yaşar said, "If the family, which is the smallest unit of society, is happy, society will be happy too; if the family is peaceful, society will be peaceful; if the family is strong, society will be strong. With this awareness and consciousness, we presented our project to the Ministry of Interior under the name 'Healthy Relationships and Strong Marriages'. With the support of the Ministry of Interior and our Directorate of Civil Society Relations, this project will be with you for one year. Everyone is mobilized; our District Governor ensured that all the directors in the district are involved in the project," he said.
"POPULATION WILL FALL TO 60 MILLION IN 30 YEARS" Üsküdar University Founding Rector, Psychiatrist Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan, speaking in the 'session' part of the program, said, "The first wall is laws, the second wall is traditions, and the third wall is the family. The family is the inner fortress. Unfortunately, laws and rules do not protect the family; it is written in our constitution, but because it was copied from the West, there are practices that cannot protect the family and inadvertently harm it. The norms in society have also changed rapidly due to this communication age; a lot has changed compared to 10 or 20 years ago. We used to say Anatolian wisdom, we used to say traditions, we used to say we protect our children, we used to say our family is strong. But unfortunately, our family has now fallen below one and a half percent in fertility. When it falls below two percent, the population shrinks. What does this mean? In 30 years, the population will drop from 80 million to 60 million; this means a crisis. Therefore, a very serious family project has been made. Even if late, our sensitivity regarding family issues continues," he said.
Prof. Dr. Nevzat Tarhan stated that those who are sensitive to family issues are lucky, saying, "They will protect their children's futures. If society does not take a stance on this issue and remains in a minority position, the philosophy of protecting the family means our future is in danger. The reason for declaring the Year of the Family, even being presented as a security issue, is this. To solve family problems, you will need to provide new answers to old questions. New answers, new methods, scientific methods, and scientific projects are needed to structure the family. It is necessary to strengthen the relationships that have deteriorated and show signs of decay in this way. We can touch the youth like this; we can heal families like this. There is a visual remedy, there is a solution, there is a formula ready. The solution lies in implementing this. There is something to be done; everything is ready, and there is currently state will for this. The Family Academy is a very good example, and the Family Mediation System. Since this system was introduced, lawsuits have decreased by 75 percent. However, there is a formula for solving problems related to the family. This formula needs to be implemented," he said.
PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN SAID, "A THREAT GREATER THAN WAR" Recently, President Erdoğan stated regarding the decline in the population growth rate, "This is a threat much more important than war for our country." Noting that the family institution is under threat, Erdoğan said, "We will not allow any regression in women's gains, especially in business, education, and politics; we will not allow it."