13.11.2025 01:07
Former Speaker of the Parliament Mustafa Şentop made striking statements regarding the decrease in Turkey's population growth rate. Şentop said, "It can be stated that many factors contribute to this, particularly the fact that today's individuals, especially our youth, are growing up with a more individualistic understanding of life. The emphasis on completing university as a prerequisite for entering life raises the age of marriage."
Former Speaker of the Parliament Mustafa Şentop stated, "The importance of completing university education as a step to enter life raises the marriage age. Today, the average marriage age is over 28 for men and over 27 for our girls," he said.
FORMER SPEAKER ŞENTOP'S STRIKING REMARKS
Former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Mustafa Şentop, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the additional service building of the Faculty of Theology to be constructed at Bolu Abant İzzet Baysal University (BAİBÜ) Gölköy campus. In addition to Şentop, Bolu Governor Abdulaziz Aydın, AK Party Bolu Member of Parliament Yüksel Coşkunyürek, BAİBÜ administration, faculty members, and students also attended the ceremony. After the recitation of the Quran and prayers, the foundation of the additional service building was ceremoniously laid. Following the ceremony, Şentop met with students at the 'Constitution and Law' conference held at the Abant İzzet Baysal University Cultural Center.
"COMPLETING UNIVERSITY EDUCATION RAISES THE MARRIAGE AGE"
Speaking at the conference, Şentop drew attention to the dramatic decrease in population growth, stating, "This year has been declared as the 'Year of Family.' As you know, we are facing a serious problem regarding population growth this year. There is a dramatic decrease in our population growth rate proportionally. Many reasons for this are being discussed. Of course, there are more fundamental reasons as well. It can be said that many issues, especially the fact that today's individuals, particularly our youth, are raised with a more individualistic understanding of life, contribute to this. However, one of these is the emphasis on obtaining a university education and graduation. The importance of completing university education as a step to enter life raises the marriage age. Today, the average marriage age is over 28 for men and over 27 for our girls. Of course, this both delays marriage and delays having children, resulting in having a smaller number of children," he said.
"THERE IS A NEED FOR EDUCATED PEOPLE AT EVERY LEVEL"
Şentop stated, "I believe that the issue of university education should also be re-evaluated in terms of its social implications. Turkey needs educated individuals at every level. Not only those who are educated as university graduates but also those who will work in various fields of life, especially vocational school graduates. However, ultimately, the significant leap we mentioned that started in 2004 has raised our university and university education rates considerably in Turkey. Of course, now, within all these opportunities, physical facilities, and support, it is essential for our academics and students to engage in more effective and intensive work in producing knowledge and presenting this knowledge for the benefit of humanity and society," he said.