Turkey’s economic crisis pushes 6.5 million children into extreme poverty, OECD report reveals

ERBIL (Kurdistan24) – Turkey's economy has been facing significant challenges since 2019, leading to widespread effects across all segments of society, particularly among children.

According to a recent report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), a staggering 6.5 million children in Turkey are living in extreme poverty, highlighting the deepening crisis in the country.

The OECD report, which underscores the dire situation for Turkey’s youth, revealed that one in four children in Turkey attend school hungry. The situation has prompted an increase in humanitarian assistance, with more than 171,000 children receiving aid in the first six months of 2024 alone. This marks a steady increase from previous years, with 164,000 children receiving assistance in 2023, 157,248 in 2021, 140,275 in 2020, and just 37,295 in 2012 when the aid programs began.

Turkey, a nation of over 85 million people, now holds one of the highest rates of child poverty among OECD countries. The economic downturn, exacerbated by soaring inflation rates currently at 61.78%, has pushed the poverty line for a family of four to $1,840, while the hunger line stands at $565.

Despite the Turkish government's efforts to address economic turmoil, the future of its economic policies remains uncertain. As the crisis deepens, the growing number of children in need of humanitarian assistance underscores the urgency of effective solutions.