CHP’s Karabat Says Turkey’s Poverty Risk Nearly Double EU Average, Accuses Government of “Hiding Reality”

CHP Deputy Chair Özgür Karabat said Turkey’s poverty risk rate stands at 27.9%, nearly double the European Union average of 16.2%, accusing the ruling AKP government of masking economic hardship behind headline income figures. Citing Eurostat and Turkish statistical data, Karabat argued that living standards are deteriorating despite official growth narratives.

“We Are 11.7 Points Worse Than Europe”

Özgür Karabat, deputy chair of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), shared data on social media highlighting what he described as a widening gap between official economic messaging and household realities.

Referring to Eurostat figures, Karabat said 16.2% of the European Union population faces the risk of poverty, compared with 27.9% in Turkey, according to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK). He noted that the difference amounts to 11.7 percentage points.

“The government speaks of record-breaking achievements,” Karabat said. “Yes, there is a record — we are ahead of Europe in poverty risk.”

He criticized the government’s emphasis on per capita income figures, arguing that averages conceal deep income disparities.

Living Standards Under Pressure

Karabat cited a series of indicators to illustrate economic strain:

• 50.5% of citizens cannot afford a one-week holiday away from home.

• 35.1% cannot afford a meal containing meat, chicken, or fish every two days.

• 25.1% cannot cover unexpected expenses such as medical bills or appliance repairs.

• 19.6% are unable to adequately heat their homes.

• 27.9% face heating problems due to insufficient insulation.

• 28.8% live in homes with leaking roofs, damp walls, or decaying window frames.

• 58% cannot replace worn-out furniture.

“If this is prosperity, who is it for?” Karabat asked, adding that durable goods consumption has weakened and the middle class has eroded.

He also said 22.1% of the population is exposed to pollution from traffic and industry, arguing that poverty extends beyond income to include environmental and living conditions.

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Migration and “Loss of Hope”

Karabat also pointed to migration trends, citing German statistics indicating that Turkey ranks third among countries sending migrants to Germany, after Ukraine and Syria.

“There is no war in Turkey,” he said. “But people are leaving because they see no future.”

He argued that young people and skilled workers are emigrating, reflecting what he described as declining economic prospects.

“Not Propaganda, But Production-Based Reform”

Karabat accused the government of sustaining what he called a “managed poverty system,” claiming that broad segments of society are being kept dependent on social assistance rather than empowered through structural reform.

“Threats, pressure on critics, and cosmetic adjustments to data do not change reality,” he said.

He concluded that reducing poverty would require “a fair and production-oriented economic model,” rather than what he described as propaganda-driven growth narratives.

The government has not yet responded publicly to Karabat’s remarks.

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