13.12.2025 13:40
A new assessment regarding the fertility rate, which President Erdoğan warned is currently experiencing a disaster, has been made. Erdoğan stated, "Above all, this last sentence is very, very important. We are truly concerned about the population growth rate. It is essential that we increase it. Today I learned that Russia was saying 'at least two children,' and now they are saying 'at least three children.' When we said this, there were many discussions and we faced a lot of criticism. However, these developments prove our correctness."
After participating in the International Peace and Security Forum held in Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan answered journalists' questions on the plane during his return home, making important evaluations regarding population growth rate, family structure, and education policies.
"WE ARE CONCERNED ABOUT THE POPULATION GROWTH RATE"
Reminding that 2025 has been declared the "Year of the Family," Erdoğan stated that the decline in the population growth rate is a serious problem, saying, "Above all, this last sentence is very, very important. We are really concerned about the population growth rate. It is essential that we increase it. Today I learned that Russia was saying 'at least two children,' and now they are saying 'at least three children.' When we said this, there were many discussions, and we were heavily criticized. But the developments show our correctness. When we say the Year of the Family, I want to express the sanctity of the family. The family is sacred to us. It is sacred in every aspect. It is important for us to revive this sanctity with mothers, fathers, and all siblings. The more we revive the family, the more we bond and connect with each other within the family, then we will become a strong nation. A strong family means a strong nation. In other words, strong nations are born from strong families. If you do not have a strong family structure, you cannot be a strong nation either. Are we experiencing this problem? In my opinion, we are. But are we hopeless? Absolutely not… Because it is in the seed of this nation. I mean, we will rise again, God willing, we will be reborn from our ashes. This nation will also carry out the construction and revival movement with those strong families. In this regard, preserving family values will have very important implications for our country," he stated.
"THE FAMILY IS SACRED TO US"
Stating that the family is the cornerstone of society, Erdoğan said, "The family is sacred to us. We need to revive this sanctity with mothers, fathers, and siblings. A strong family means a strong nation." Expressing that there are some difficulties in the family structure in Turkey, Erdoğan noted that despite this, they are not hopeless. He emphasized that preserving family values will provide significant gains for the country, stating that new efforts in this area will continue.
EMPHASIS ON EDUCATION
In his speech, President Erdoğan also dedicated a significant portion to education, reminding that the number of universities has increased from 76 to 208. Stating that "there is no province left without a university," Erdoğan expressed that the emergence of students achieving high ranks from many cities in Anatolia is a result of these investments. Erdoğan noted that families now have the opportunity to raise their children to receive university education in their own cities, stating that a strong educational infrastructure is one of the fundamental elements of a strong nation. President Erdoğan's statements indicate that fertility rates and family policies will continue to be at the forefront of the agenda in the upcoming period.
HE SAID "WE ARE EXPERIENCING A DISASTER"
In a statement made at the Family and Culture-Art Symposium he attended, President Erdoğan drew attention to the fertility rate, saying that the population growth rate has decreased, stating, "The total fertility rate measured last year was 1.48. We are currently experiencing a disaster."