10.01.2026 13:45
The Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, announced that a budget of 5.1 billion lira has been allocated for the National Loyalty Program in 2026, and that 1.3 billion lira has been transferred to foundations for the January-March period. The program aims to provide support to 132,000 elderly, disabled, and severely chronically ill individuals by 2026.
The Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, announced that 5.1 billion lira has been allocated from the 2026 budget for the National Loyalty Program aimed at meeting the basic and essential needs of citizens in need, including the elderly, disabled, and those with severe chronic illnesses.
"WE DO NOT LEAVE OUR CITIZENS ALONE" In a written statement, Minister Göktaş recalled that the Loyalty Program was turned into a national program in 2022, stating that citizens who cannot take care of themselves are visited regularly, and their home and personal cleaning needs are met. Göktaş expressed, "We strive to always be by our citizens' side to ensure they have the living standards they deserve and to meet all their needs."
Minister of Family and Social Services, Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş FIRST QUARTER PAYMENT: 1.3 BILLION LIRA Minister Göktaş announced that the first quarter payment of 1.3 billion lira, covering January, February, and March, has been transferred to social solidarity and assistance foundations, noting that the support will continue throughout the year.
2026 GOAL: REACHING 132 THOUSAND PEOPLE Minister Göktaş reported that approximately 128 thousand people benefited from the National Loyalty Program in 2025, stating that the goal for 2026 is to increase this number to 132 thousand.
HE HAD DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE DECLINE IN FERTILITY RATE On the other hand, Minister Göktaş had recently warned that the fertility rate has fallen below a critical threshold. He stated that 57% of households do not have children under the age of 18, saying, "This means that there is no sound of children in more than half of our homes. Without supporting young people to marry, start families, and have children, a solution to the population problem cannot be produced. The age of marriage and parenthood has also increased. The average age of women having their first child was 25.8 in 2001, and it has risen to 29.3 in 2024. The age for men to become fathers has increased from 26 to 28. And this situation has directly affected fertility. According to the United Nations' very low scenario, Turkey's population may decline to 25 million by 2100," he stated.