19.04.2025 11:00
In a live broadcast, the Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, highlighted the low population growth rate, stating, "We are at an alarm level today. Our fertility rate is currently at 1.51. There are many dimensions to this, from production to employment to health. We may not be able to find young people to send to the military." President Erdoğan also commented on the issue, describing it as "an existential threat, a disaster."
In a live broadcast on CNN Türk, Minister of Family and Social Services Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş answered questions from journalist Hakan Çelik and made striking evaluations regarding the population growth rate in Turkey.
"WE MAY NOT FIND YOUNG PEOPLE TO SEND TO THE MILITARY"
Sharing the latest figures regarding the population growth rate, which President Erdoğan has described as "an existential threat, a disaster" at every opportunity, Minister Göktaş stated, "We are at an alarm level today. Our fertility rate is currently at 1.51. The population replacement rate is 2.1. Right now, Turkey cannot renew itself. We are aging. There are many dimensions, from production to employment to health. We may not find young people to send to the military. By 2050, our population will reach its peak and start to decline. The population aged 65 and over has exceeded 10%. While the number of children is decreasing, the population in need of care will increase. Changes in social services may lead to disruptions in the labor market. Our President has viewed this as an existential threat since 2007. It has become clear how right our President was," she said.