TÜRK-İŞ: Hunger Threshold Rises to ₺26,413, Poverty Line Nears ₺86,000 in July 2025

According to the latest monthly survey by TÜRK-İŞ Confederation, the cost of living in Turkey continues to climb, with both the hunger threshold and the poverty line increasing notably in July 2025.

• The monthly food expenditure required for a family of four in Ankara to maintain a healthy and adequate diet—commonly referred to as the hunger threshold—rose to ₺26,413.17.

• The poverty line, which includes food, housing, utilities, transportation, education, healthcare, and other essential needs, reached ₺86,036.38.

• Meanwhile, the monthly cost of living for a single worker jumped to ₺33,982.24.

These figures show an increase from June, when the hunger threshold was ₺26,115.18 and the poverty line stood at ₺85,065.75.

Minimum Wage Falls Further Behind

The report highlights the widening gap between the minimum wage and the cost of basic needs. As of May, a worker’s monthly living cost (₺32,463) was already ₺10,359 above the official monthly minimum wage. TÜRK-İŞ warns that the current wage structure is inadequate to support a family’s most basic needs:

“For many households, the minimum wage remains the sole source of income, but it no longer qualifies as a livable wage for a family,” the statement read.

Food Price Inflation (“Kitchen Inflation”) in July 2025

TÜRK-İŞ’s data also reflects rising grocery and food costs, referred to as “kitchen inflation”:

• Monthly increase in food expenses: +1.14%

• 12-month increase (July 2024–July 2025): +37.32%

• Average annual rise: +42.60%

• Cumulative increase in 2025 (Jan–July): +25.28%

This consistent rise in household food expenses continues to erode purchasing power, especially for fixed-income earners and minimum wage workers.