President Erdoğan has described the danger as a "disaster" and it has now knocked on our door.

The Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, shared striking figures regarding the fertility rate, which President Erdoğan described as "an existential threat, a disaster" for Turkey.

AT THE LOWEST LEVEL IN HISTORY

Expressing that the average fertility rate worldwide is 2.32, while it has dropped to 1.51 in Turkey, Minister Göktaş stated, "1.51 is the lowest point in history. The proportion of our elderly population over 65 has also exceeded 10.2%. The decrease in the young population and the increase in the elderly population means that fewer workers have to support more retirees. While the number of children in need of care is decreasing, the needs related to elderly care are increasing. This means an increase in the budgetary needs for social services and healthcare. It also means potential problems in the balance of the social security system, as well as difficulties in the labor market."

"MARRIAGE, HAVING CHILDREN..."

Stating that the population control policies adopted in Turkey since the 1960s have led to changes in the demographic structure, Göktaş said, "To prevent this situation, population-supported policies have become an indispensable element in our Development Plans prepared since 2007. Achieving effective results with population-supporting policies is undoubtedly a long and stability-requiring process. It is also of great importance to be aware of current conditions during this process. Today, the decline in population dynamics is following a parallel course with social changes. Individualism, gender neutrality, and the weakening of the family institution are isolating individuals. Marriage and having children have now fallen behind in the priority list of today's individuals," he stated.

DECLINE OVER THE YEARS IS STRIKING

Noting that marriages and birth rates have decreased in Turkey in parallel with global trends, Göktaş said, "The average age of first marriage is 28.3 for men and 25.7 for women. The average age of mothers at first birth has reached 27. The increase in the age of marriage and first-time motherhood naturally leads to a decrease in the fertility rate and a reduction in births. The number of births, which was 1 million 351 thousand in 2014, has dropped to 958 thousand 408 in 2023; in 10 years, the birth rate has decreased by approximately 400 thousand annually. The divorce rates, which were 1.4 per thousand between 2008-2023, have risen to 2.01. We are working hard to improve these rates, which are affected by many variables," he said.

ERDOĞAN SAID "IT IS AN EXISTENTIAL THREAT"

In a statement regarding the issue a few months ago, President Erdoğan said, "We are below the renewal threshold of 2.1 for the population. This, I openly say, is an existential threat for Turkey, a disaster. The current situation has become intolerable for our country. We have been continuously recommending having 3 children because we saw this picture. We have faced criticism many times due to our recommendation. Unfortunately, time has proven us right in our predictions. The importance of our call for at least 3 children is now better understood. We need to realize that population is our greatest strength as a nation, and we must protect it."