Debt Enforcement Cases in Türkiye Surpass 23 Million, Reflecting Deepening Economic Strain

Türkiye’s debt enforcement cases have reached alarming levels, surpassing 23 million files, according to data presented by the state postal service, PTT, during a briefing to the Parliament’s Committee on State Economic Enterprises. With a national population of 86 million, this suggests that nearly one in every four citizens is now entangled in legal debt proceedings, revealing the growing economic pressure gripping the country.

The PTT’s role in delivering legal and court-related documents has expanded dramatically in recent years. In 2020, the number of judicial notifications—including criminal, civil, family court, and debt enforcement communications—stood at around 91 million. By 2024, that figure had climbed nearly 57%, hitting 143.8 million notifications.

Year-by-year data from PTT indicates a steady rise:

• 2020: 91,457,923 notifications

• 2021: 116,684,386

• 2022: 132,225,334

• 2023: 118,757,035

• 2024: 143,884,748

This legal correspondence surge is widely interpreted as a symptom of widespread financial distress, with enforcement notifications now a common occurrence in Turkish households.

Opposition Criticism and Public Sentiment

The escalating volume of legal notices has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition. CHP deputy Mehmet Tahtasız stated, “The AKP government may lie, but the numbers don’t. In 2024, nearly twice the population has received court or enforcement notifications at their homes.”

He continued with a somber reflection on how public attitudes toward postal deliveries have changed:
“People used to smile at the postman. Now, they hide. The postman no longer brings joy or letters from family—he brings court orders and debt warnings.”

According to Tahtasız, local officials’ offices—particularly those of neighborhood mukhtars—are now overflowing with unopened or undelivered notifications. He attributed this situation to economic mismanagement, arguing that government policy has deepened poverty and pushed citizens into debt cycles.

PTT’s Financial Woes Under Scrutiny

The committee also reviewed the financial trajectory of the PTT, which was transferred to the Turkish Wealth Fund in 2018. Since then, the institution has posted annual losses from 2019 onward. While once a symbol of national connectivity and stability, the postal service is now at the center of debates over economic governance, public service degradation, and the cost of fiscal mismanagement.