Turkey social assistance numbers rise amid economic pressure

Republican People's Party (CHP) Niğde Deputy Ömer Fethi Gürer has highlighted rising poverty levels in Turkey, citing data from the Ministry of Family and Social Services. Gürer noted a significant increase in citizens relying on social assistance, attributing the trend to current economic policies.

According to the data presented, the number of people receiving soup kitchen aid rose from 34,911 in 2014 to 65,414 in 2024, representing an 87% increase over the decade. Most notably, the number grew by 15.5% in a single year, reaching 75,589 in 2025.

Gürer also pointed to a rise in housing assistance. The number of households receiving housing aid increased from 21,380 in 2024 to 23,544 in 2025, a 10.1% annual increase. Gürer stated that the rise in social assistance figures is not a sign of success, but rather an indicator of expanding poverty.