Türkiye’s Demographic Shift: Nation with Rising Child Poverty

Türkiye is undergoing a fundamental demographic shift. According to the TÜİK 2025 ADNKS Report, out of a total population of 86,092,168, children now account for 21,375,930. While these numbers seem substantial, the report highlights a dramatic “melting” of the youth population. In 1970, children made up 48.5% of the country; by the end of 2025, this ratio had plummeted to 24.8%, with projections suggesting a further drop to 14.5% by the year 2100.

Younger than Europe, Older than Our Past

Despite the rapid decline, Türkiye remains “younger” than the European Union average. In 2025, the child population ratio across the 27 EU member states averaged 17.6%. Türkiye’s 24.8% sits well above leaders like Ireland (22.7%) and struggling nations like Malta (14.5%). However, the internal regional divide in Türkiye is stark:

The Poverty Crisis: Children at the Forefront

The most alarming aspect of the report is the economic vulnerability of the youngest generation. While 27.9% of the general population faces poverty or social exclusion, this risk jumps to 36.8% for children.

• Gender Disparity: The risk is even higher for girls, reaching 37.8%.

• Education: Despite economic hurdles, the primary school completion rate remains high at 98.6%, though 5-year-old schooling rates stand at 82.5%.

Social Trends: Names, Marriages, and Custody

The report also offers a window into the changing social fabric of Turkish families:

1. Popular Names of 2025:

• Boys: Alparslan (7,527 babies), Göktuğ, and Metehan.

• Girls: Alya (8,751 babies), Defne, and Gökçe.

  (Historical favorites like Yusuf, Mustafa, Zeynep, and Elif still dominate the overall 0-17 age group.)

2. Progress in Child Marriages:

A significant positive trend is the continued decline in early marriages. Official marriages for girls aged 16-17 dropped from 7.3% in 2002 to a record low of 1.5% in 2025.

3. Divorce and Foster Care:

• Custody: In 191,371 finalized divorce cases, 74.6% of children were placed with their mothers.

• Foster Care: 10,841 children are currently in foster care.

• Safety: The leading cause of death for children aged 1-17 remains “external injuries and poisonings” (accidents), signaling a need for better safety regulations in public and private spaces.

Source: karar