Turkey’s Baby Bust: 0–4 Age Group Hits Lowest Level in Republic’s History
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Turkey’s youngest population has collapsed to a record low.
According to TÜİK data compiled in a report delivered to the ruling AK Party, the number of children aged 0–4 fell to just 4.9 million in 2025 — the lowest figure since the founding of the Republic.
Beyond the Economy: A Cultural Shift
The report underlines that the decline is not only tied to inflation and economic hardship but also to deeper cultural and social changes:
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Rising marriage age
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Parenthood seen as a “luxury”
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Weakening of traditional family values
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Declining interest in marriage among young people
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Growing female workforce participation
Silent Crisis Behind Inflation
An AK Party field study in August 2025 found that the public’s top concern remains inflation and cost of living. Yet under this crisis lies a quieter but potentially more devastating issue: demographic breakdown.
Political Divide Over Causes
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CHP, İYİ Parti, DEM Party voters: blame mostly economic reasons.
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AK Party, MHP voters: point to cultural decline and fading family values.
The Bigger Picture
Researchers warn that if this trend continues, Turkey will face long-term challenges in workforce sustainability, economic growth, and the very social fabric that underpins its future.