Türkiye Sees Another Fuel Price Hike Amid Diverging Global Trends

Türkiye has implemented another increase in fuel prices, with gasoline rising by 1.22 TL per liter from midnight. While officials cite currency fluctuations and global oil market volatility as reasons, experts note that Turkey’s fuel price trends are diverging from global patterns.

Economist İnan Mutlu shared a striking observation on social media:

“Over the past year, global crude oil prices have fallen by approximately 17%, while Turkey’s gasoline price index has risen by 13%.”

This divergence highlights how domestic fuel prices have risen independently of international oil trends, raising concerns about inflation and purchasing power for Turkish households.

Gap Between Global Oil and Domestic Gasoline

A comparative graph shared by Mutlu uses June 2023 as the base (100 index value). By July 2025, the crude oil index had dropped to 83.10, while Turkey’s gasoline index surged to 113.85.

“This alone shows that Mehmet Şimşek has done nothing beyond keeping the Turkish lira strong with high interest rates. If global oil prices rise, the already meaningless inflation targets will become completely meaningless,” Mutlu commented.

He also criticized recent wage adjustments for public servants and workers, stating:

“It’s fine, but they only gave raises tied to the targeted inflation for civil servants and workers.”

Impact on Consumers and Inflation

The latest gasoline price hike has pushed liter prices above 44 TL in some cities, raising concerns over rising transportation costs and further pressure on household budgets. Analysts warn that continued domestic fuel price increases contrary to global trends could exacerbate challenges in fighting inflation and maintaining purchasing power.

“Domestic gasoline prices are moving in the opposite direction of global markets, which could create new challenges for both inflation control and consumer spending,” economic observers note.

Rising Fuel Costs Add to Economic Pressure

The latest fuel price adjustments underscore how domestic economic factors and policy choices are increasingly influencing prices independently of global trends. With gasoline costs rising despite falling crude oil prices, experts warn that household purchasing power and inflation management may face new hurdles in the coming months.