Türkiye’s Active Aging Index Rises Slightly But Still Trails EU Average

Türkiye’s active aging index rose from 28.7 in 2023 to 29.7 in 2024, according to the latest data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). However, despite the improvement, Türkiye remains well below the European Union (EU) average of 36.8, highlighting persistent gaps in elderly engagement, employment, and quality of life.

The active aging index measures four key areas:

• Employment of older individuals

• Social participation

• Independent, healthy, and safe living

• Supportive environment for active aging

The elderly population is defined as individuals aged 65 and older.

Men Score Higher Than Women, but Both Lag Behind EU Averages

In 2024:

• Türkiye’s men recorded an active aging index of 34.5 (EU average: 38.5).

• Women lagged further behind with a score of 25.3 (EU average: 35.3).

Regional disparities were also evident. The Eastern Black Sea region achieved the highest overall score at 33.3, while Southeastern Anatolia had the lowest at 26.9.

Employment Component Shows Progress

On the employment front, Türkiye outperformed six EU countries, with the employment index for seniors rising from 25.9 in 2023 to 27.6 in 2024. This reflects an increasing trend of older individuals remaining active in the workforce.

Social Participation and Health Scores Still Weak

Social participation among Türkiye’s elderly remains particularly low, with an index of 12.5 compared to significantly higher EU levels. Istanbul performed best domestically in this area, achieving a score of 17.

In terms of health, physical independence, and safety, Türkiye’s index slightly declined from 65.5 to 65. This component measures seniors’ access to healthcare, physical activity, and secure living conditions.

Capacity for Active Aging Shows Encouraging Signs

Türkiye’s capacity and environment for active aging score improved to 46.1 in 2024, with the Eastern Marmara region leading at 51.1. This category evaluates institutional support and societal readiness for aging populations.

Aging Population Trends: Urgent Need for Strategic Action

Türkiye’s elderly population is growing rapidly, increasing by 20.7% over the past five years—from 7.5 million in 2019 to 9.1 million in 2024. Projections suggest that seniors will make up:

• 13.5% of the total population by 2030

• 33.6% by 2100

This demographic shift underscores the urgent need for policies enhancing active aging, social participation, and elderly care infrastructure to prevent future socioeconomic strains.