Turkish president addresses national demographic decline

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan addressed the 'Family and Population Decade' program, highlighting concerns over Turkey's declining fertility rates and aging population. He noted that the fertility rate fell below the replacement level of 2.1 in 2017, reaching 1.48 in 2024, with further decline projected for 2025. Erdogan observed that the average age in Turkey is approaching 35, compared to approximately 45 in Europe, and pointed to rising divorce rates and delays in marriage age as key factors. Citing his 2007 call for families to have three children, he stated that this policy is now vindicated by current data. Key policy proposals include protecting the family unit, promoting marriage, increasing birth rates, and supporting both youth and the elderly. Additionally, he emphasized the need for rural development to achieve balanced population distribution. State institutions have reportedly received directives to implement measures aimed at reversing these demographic trends.