Legal Notices and Debt Collection Files Soar in Turkey Amid Economic Strain
Household Debt
Turkey’s judicial notification and debt collection system is under unprecedented pressure, reflecting the country’s ongoing economic distress. As of 2024, the number of debt enforcement cases surpassed 23 million, highlighting the growing number of citizens entangled in legal and financial hardship. Given a population of roughly 86 million, these figures suggest that nearly one in four people is either directly or indirectly involved in enforcement proceedings.
57% Spike in Legal Notices in Just Four Years
According to Sözcü, data submitted by the General Directorate of PTT to the State Economic Enterprises Commission (KİT) reveals a stark rise in court-issued notifications. The total number of notices and e-notifications jumped from 91.4 million in 2020 to 143.8 million in 2024, marking a 57% increase. This dramatic escalation is seen as a clear reflection of the country’s deepening legal and economic complications.
“Numbers Don’t Lie” – CHP MP Criticizes Growing Crisis
Mehmet Tahtasız, a CHP deputy and member of the KİT Commission, stated that these numbers prove a worsening poverty rate and a society overwhelmed by judicial processes. “The AKP government may lie, but the numbers don’t. In 2024 alone, citizens received nearly twice as many legal notices as the country’s population. This is a sign of societal collapse,” Tahtasız declared.
From Joy to Dread: The Changing Face of the Postman
Tahtasız added that the traditional image of the postman as a bearer of good news has now become one of dread and anxiety. “Children once sang when the postman arrived. Now, people run away. Because now, no one expects good news. The postman brings notices of seizure, bankruptcy, lawsuits, or criminal charges,” he remarked, underlining the public’s shifting relationship with the justice system.