Hunger and Poverty Thresholds Surge in Turkey as Living Costs Hit New Highs in 2026

Turkey has entered 2026 under the heavy shadow of rising living costs, with new data revealing a deepening affordability crisis for millions of workers. According to figures released by the BES Research Center (BES-AR), both the hunger and poverty thresholds have climbed to alarming levels, underlining the widening gap between wages and basic living expenses.

The findings, based on January 2026 calculations, paint a stark picture for public employees, minimum-wage earners, and middle-income households who are struggling to maintain even the most basic standards of living amid persistent inflation and housing pressures.

Hunger Threshold Exceeds 40,000 Lira

BES-AR’s analysis shows that the hunger threshold for a four-person civil servant household has risen to 40,294 Turkish lira per month. This figure represents the minimum amount required solely for healthy and balanced nutrition, calculated using current food prices and nutritional standards.

On a daily basis, the cost of adequate nutrition has surpassed 1,343 lira, illustrating how sharply food prices have increased. These calculations focus exclusively on dietary needs, excluding housing, transportation, healthcare, education, and other essential expenses, making the figure particularly striking.

The report also highlights the situation of individuals living alone. A single worker’s monthly cost of living has climbed to 65,038 lira, reflecting the cumulative burden of food, housing, utilities, and transportation in urban areas.

Poverty Line Approaches 100,000 Lira

Beyond food expenses, BES-AR estimates that the poverty threshold, which includes all basic living costs such as rent, utilities, transportation, education, and healthcare, has reached 98,864 lira per month for a four-person household. This level marks a critical threshold, signaling that a growing share of salaried workers are now living well below what is considered a minimum standard for a dignified life.

The near-six-figure poverty line underscores the structural challenges facing Turkey’s wage earners, particularly in large metropolitan areas where housing and transportation costs have accelerated faster than incomes.

Minimum Wage Falls Far Below Basic Needs

One of the most striking findings in the BES-AR report is the gap between the 2026 minimum wage, set at 28,075 lira, and the hunger threshold. According to the research, the current minimum wage remains 43.52% below the level required to cover basic food expenses for a family of four.

This discrepancy indicates that a minimum-wage earner is unable to meet even basic nutritional needs with their salary alone. BES emphasized that under these conditions, minimum wage workers are effectively struggling merely to “fill their stomachs,” with no realistic capacity to cover housing, healthcare, or education costs.

The erosion of purchasing power has become particularly visible as food inflation continues to outpace wage adjustments, leaving low-income households increasingly vulnerable.

Housing Crisis Forces Shared Living

The report devotes significant attention to the housing crisis, identifying rent inflation as one of the most severe pressures on public employees. In major cities, rental prices have reached levels that fundamentally alter living arrangements and household stability.

BES-AR data indicates that public sector workers are forced to allocate between 75% and 80% of their monthly salaries to housing costs in metropolitan areas. This leaves little room for other necessities, effectively pushing workers toward extreme cost-cutting measures.

As a result, many civil servants are now resorting to shared housing arrangements, reminiscent of student living conditions. The analysis notes that groups of three to five employees are increasingly sharing apartments to cope with high rents, a trend that highlights the depth of the affordability crisis.

January 2026 Living Cost Indicators

BES-AR summarized its January 2026 findings with the following monthly benchmarks:

• Hunger Threshold (four-person household): 40,294 TL

• Poverty Threshold (all basic expenses): 98,864 TL

• Single Worker Living Cost: 65,038 TL

• Current Minimum Wage: 28,075 TL

These figures collectively illustrate how far wages lag behind the actual cost of living, particularly for families and urban residents.

Call for “Decent Wages” From the Union

In response to the data, the Bureau Workers’ Union renewed its call for a comprehensive overhaul of wage policy. The union urged authorities to implement salary adjustments that enable “a humane standard of living”, explicitly stating that wages should be aligned with the poverty threshold rather than short-term fiscal considerations.

The statement emphasized that public employees, minimum wage earners, and retirees all face similar challenges, arguing that piecemeal increases are no longer sufficient in the face of sustained inflation and rising housing costs.

A Broader Economic Warning

BES-AR’s January 2026 report serves as more than a snapshot of household finances. It acts as a broader warning about the social and economic consequences of prolonged cost-of-living pressures. As hunger and poverty thresholds continue to rise faster than incomes, the gap between wages and essential expenses risks becoming structurally entrenched.