Türkiye’s Household Financial Strain Hits 77% in 2024

According to Eurostat, the share of Turkish households experiencing financial difficulties rose to 76.8% in 2024, marking a dramatic increase over six years. In 2018, only 30.3% of households reported struggling to cover basic expenses.

This surge indicates that nearly three out of four households now face significant challenges in meeting day-to-day costs, highlighting the widespread impact of cost-of-living pressures across the nation.

“Economic pressure has become a permanent part of life,” economists comment, noting that the post-pandemic disruption of incomes, persistent high inflation, and declining purchasing power are key drivers.

Steep Increase in Households Facing Financial Strain

Eurostat’s “difficulty making ends meet” survey shows a consistent upward trend over recent years in Türkiye:

• 2020: 46.8%

• 2021: 63.0%

• 2022: 73.0%

• 2023: 75.0%

• 2024: 76.8%

“In 2018, one in three households struggled financially; by 2024, that has risen to three in four,” the report notes.

This rapid increase underscores the long-lasting effects of inflation and wage stagnation, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Financial Strain Extends Beyond the Poorest

Eurostat classifies financial difficulties into three categories: “severely struggling,” “struggling,” and “slightly struggling.” The 2024 breakdown for Türkiye is:

• Severely struggling (income definitely insufficient): 2.8%

• Struggling: 29.4%

• Slightly struggling: 44.6%

“The perception of financial pressure far exceeds official inflation figures,” analysts observe. Basic consumption costs continue to rise, directly affecting the quality of life of fixed-income households.

This suggests that financial pressure is not confined to low-income groups alone; even middle-income families feel the strain of rising living costs.

Living Costs Far Exceed Minimum Wages

The TÜRK-İŞ Hunger and Poverty Line Research (July 2025) reveals the scale of financial pressure on Turkish families:

• Hunger threshold for a family of four: 26,413 TL

• Poverty threshold for a family of four: 86,036 TL

• Cost of living for a single worker: 33,982 TL

By comparison, the net minimum wage in Türkiye remains at 22,104 TL, leaving most households unable to cover basic nutrition and personal living costs.

“Kitchen inflation shows no sign of slowing,” TÜRK-İŞ noted. Food prices in July rose 1.14% month-over-month, while annual food inflation reached 37.32%, with a yearly average of 42.6%.

This underscores the severe gap between household income and essential living expenses, contributing to the growing proportion of financially strained households.

Widespread Cost-of-Living Challenges

The data clearly indicates that financial pressure in Türkiye is becoming endemic. Nearly 77% of households struggle to meet basic needs, with the majority classified as slightly or moderately struggling. Coupled with stagnant minimum wages and rapidly rising food costs, this trend points to structural economic challenges that policymakers must urgently address.

“Three out of four households now face real difficulties in covering basic expenses,” economists emphasize. “Without targeted policy interventions, the cost-of-living crisis will continue to deepen, affecting both household welfare and overall economic stability.”