Turkey sees youth marriage slump as economic crisis deepens

Turkey’s trade union leader Bendevi Palandöken warned that costly weddings have become unaffordable for many young couples, with ceremonial expenses reaching up to 1.5 million lira. He urged the government to create dedicated housing quotas, furniture‑industry promotions and other financial incentives to encourage young people to marry and boost the nation’s ageing population.

Family and Social Policies Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş cited a recent study showing that 40 % of Turkish youth are reluctant to marry, even though more than 90 % believe having children strengthens family bonds. The research highlighted that soaring rents, low wages and overall economic hardship are driving young adults to postpone marriage and child‑bearing, prompting opposition leader Aylin Nazlıaka to criticize the ruling party’s policies as a “deep economic and social crisis.”