While the population aged 65 and over in Turkey increased by 21.4 percent in five years and reached 8 million 722 thousand 806 people last year, the ratio of the elderly population in the total population increased to 10.2 percent.
While the poverty rate was 21.3 percent for Turkey overall in 2019, it became 21.7 percent in 2023. While this rate was 14.2 percent for the elderly population in 2019, it increased to 21.7 percent in 2023!
AS THE YEARS PASS, THE ELDERLY ARE GETTING POORER
According to the results of the Income and Living Conditions Survey of the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), the poverty rate, calculated based on 60 percent of the equivalent household disposable median income, was 21.3 percent for Turkey in general in 2019, and 21.7 percent in 2023.
This rate increased from 14.2 percent in 2019 to 21.7 percent in 2023 for the elderly population. When the poverty of the elderly population is examined by gender, the poverty rate for elderly men was determined as 12.1 percent in 2019 and 20.7 percent in 2023.
While the poverty rate for elderly women was 15.9 percent in 2019, it was recorded as 22.4 percent in 2023.
WE ARE GETTING OLD AND POOR
A large part of the elderly population, which has increased by 21.4 percent in the last five years, is forced to make ends meet with a pension of 10 thousand TL, which is below the hunger line.
While TÜİK data showing that Turkish society is gradually getting older and poorer causes concerns about the future, it is wondered when retirees will receive the wages they deserve.