Turkey minimum wage purchasing power falls below hunger threshold

Data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) indicates that Turkey's minimum wage purchasing power has declined significantly. As of August, the minimum wage fell approximately 9,128 lira below the hunger threshold of 37,203 lira.

In a global ranking of 131 countries, Turkey ranks 68th in terms of minimum wage. The current minimum wage is equivalent to approximately 583 USD, placing it behind Iraq, which maintains a minimum wage of 626 USD. In contrast, Switzerland leads the list with a monthly minimum wage of 3,804 USD.

Economic factors such as high exchange rate pressure, rising living costs, and low real wages against inflation have impacted the country's standing. Furthermore, ILO and Eurostat data show that Turkish workers maintain some of the longest working hours in Europe, averaging between 42.4 and 44.6 hours per week, while ranking low in work-life balance.