Population Crisis Plan: Türkiye Launches 10-Year Family Strategy

In a major strategic move to protect the nation’s demographic structure, President Erdoğan has signed a circular officially declaring the period from 2026 to 2035 the “Family and Population Decade.” The directive, published in the Official Gazette, highlights that fertility rates in Türkiye have plummeted to the lowest levels in Republican history. To combat this population crisis, the government has mandated that all public institutions prioritize policies that protect the family unit and encourage growth.

Addressing the Existential Population Crisis

The presidential circular emphasizes that a robust family and population structure is vital for the stable survival of society. Article 41 of the Constitution of Türkiye reiterates that protecting the family is a fundamental duty of the state. The document warns that global trends and “harmful movements”—specifically citing de-genderization—are instrumentalizing individual freedoms to threaten traditional values and future generations.

With Türkiye’s fertility rate reaching historic lows, the 10-year action plan seeks to move beyond temporary measures. Following the momentum of 2025 being named the “Year of the Family,” this new decade-long framework aims to institutionalize a holistic population policy under the coordination of the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

Strategic Pillars to Combat the Demographic Decline

The Family and Population Decade Vision Document outlines a comprehensive roadmap for all state organs. Key highlights of the 15-point strategic plan to solve the population crisis in Türkiye include:

• Financial and Social Incentives: Mechanisms will be strengthened to encourage marriage among young adults and support multi-child family structures.

• Work-Life Balance: New applications will be implemented to make it easier for parents to have children, reinforcing “motherhood and fatherhood” as essential social values.

• Rural Revitalization: Integrated measures will be taken to prevent population loss in rural areas and encourage urban-to-rural migration with family-oriented urban planning.

• Digital Family Shield: Authorities will take measures to identify and prevent harmful digital content, promoting “family-friendly broadcasting” and responsible media use.

• Institutional Accountability: All public institutions must include family and population priorities in their strategic plans and report annual activities to the Ministry of Family and Social Services.

Furthermore, the last week of May has been designated as “National Family Week,” to be celebrated annually with events highlighting the importance of the family unit. This proactive diplomacy also extends internationally, as Türkiye seeks to collaborate with nations sharing similar demographic concerns to reinforce its leading role in global family advocacy.

Source: karar