# Economic instability and social crisis in Turkey

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/economic-instability-and-social-crisis-in-turkey
> Updated: 2026-08-22T19:14:52.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

Turkey is experiencing widespread social and economic instability driven by high inflation and poverty. Recent reports highlight a crisis among the youth, where economic insecurity and social alienation have been linked to instances of violence, including school shootings in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş. Data indicates that Turkish 15-year-olds report the lowest life satisfaction among OECD countries, and a significant portion of the 18-24 demographic is neither in employment, education, nor training.

The economic strain extends across various demographics, as rising costs for basic goods and rent erode the purchasing power of retirees and minimum wage earners. This widespread poverty has also led to increased child labor, with estimates suggesting approximately 7 million children in Turkey live in poverty, often being utilized as unprotected labor due to economic desperation.

## Timeline

### 2026-08-22: Economic hardship in Turkey impacts retirees and increases child labor

Economic instability in Turkey is driving widespread hardship, with officials warning that rising inflation is eroding the purchasing power of retirees and contributing to an increase in child labor due to deep

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/economic-hardship-in-turkey-impacts-retirees-and-increases-child-labor

### 2026-08-18: Turkey youth crisis linked to economic insecurity and violence

Following recent school shootings, reports highlight a youth crisis in Turkey driven by high unemployment, economic insecurity, and low life satisfaction among the 18-24 age demographic.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-youth-crisis-linked-to-economic-insecurity-and-violence

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Cite as: Economic instability and social crisis in Turkey. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/economic-instability-and-social-crisis-in-turkey