Turkey's family minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş launches ten‑year population vision

Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş presented the "Family and Population Ten‑Year Vision Document" and accompanying Action Plan, placing demographic policy at the core of Turkey's development agenda. The programme, unveiled at Ankara's Hakimevi, is based on a three‑generation research project that surveyed 6,530 households across 12 provinces and interviewed more than 10,000 citizens.

Key findings show that marriage remains stable – 96.3 % of respondents have a single marriage lasting about 20 years – while fertility has halved between the first and second generations. The average age at first marriage is rising, and couples are postponing child‑bearing. The minister linked these trends to broader impacts on the labour market, social security, defence capacity and health services.

The new policy package includes: special TOKİ housing quotas for families with three or more children, half‑time work rights for civil servants with children of primary‑school age, expanded daycare and nurseries in public institutions, extended post‑birth leave, and legal measures to protect children from harmful digital content. A Family Institute has been established to coordinate field‑oriented policy design, and the Population Policies Council will strengthen inter‑agency cooperation. Over 20,000 events are planned for the 2025 "Family Year" to bring initiatives to households nationwide.