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Economic instability and social crisis in Turkey

Updated 3 times since CLSTR started tracking revisions of this situation.

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2026-09-16 10:39 UTC → 2026-09-18 07:59 UTC · added removed

Turkey continues to face severe social and economic instability, particularly regarding child welfare and welfare, education inequality. Recent data inequality, and youth employment. Data from DİSK-AR confirms that approximately 6.7 million children, or 31% of the child population, live in income poverty. The crisis of child labor has intensified, with the number of working children aged 15-17 rising to 882,000 over the last five years—a nearly 70% increase. Tragically, reports Reports indicate that at least 646 children died while working between 2017 and July 2026. Disputes have emerged persist regarding the quality and equity of the national education system. While Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin attributed improved PISA 2025 results to curriculum updates and the removal of previous institutional influences, updates, the union Eğitim-İş contested this narrative. The union argued that these results actually reflect widening socioeconomic inequality, noting inequality and a growing performance gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students in mathematics and science. Political leaders have also addressed the systemic nature of these issues. CHP Vice President Deniz Demir emphasized that has called for the state must to prioritize the right to education over workforce integration. New labor statistics from the integration Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) for the first quarter of children into 2026 highlight a significant youth employment crisis. Approximately 23.6% of those aged 15-24 are neither in education nor employed, a figure that rises to 28.2% for the workforce, 15-34 age group. İhsan Aytemiş, President of the Meşe Association, contested the term “home youth,” stating that child labor is a systemic issue driven many are prevented from working by economic necessity. hardship or family care responsibilities. In the broader economy, SMEs remain vital, accounting for 68.5% of total employment. While the OECD notes SMEs are integrating into global value chains and receiving support for green transitions—including $250 million via KOSGEB—challenges regarding productivity and long-term competitiveness persist.

Versions

  1. 2026-09-18 07:59 UTC Economic instability and social crisis in Turkey
  2. 2026-09-16 10:39 UTC Economic instability and social crisis in Turkey
  3. 2026-09-14 16:21 UTC Economic instability and social crisis in Turkey
  4. 2026-08-23 15:14 UTC Economic instability and social crisis in Turkey

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