Hunger Threshold Nears 35,000 TL According to TÜRK-İŞ

The latest research from the Confederation of Turkish Trade Unions (TÜRK-İŞ) for April 2026 paints a grim picture of the escalating cost of living in Turkey. The hunger threshold, which represents the minimum monthly food expenditure for a family of four to maintain a balanced diet, has climbed to 34,586 TL. This marks a sharp increase from the previous month, pushing the boundary toward the 35,000 TL mark and highlighting the rapid erosion of purchasing power.

Poverty Line Surpasses 112,000 TL Mark

The report further details the poverty line, a metric that includes essential costs such as housing, transportation, education, and healthcare, alongside food. This figure has surged to 112,660 TL. For a single working individual, the monthly cost of living has risen to 44,802 TL, creating a significant gap between average earnings and basic survival requirements.

According to the data, kitchen inflation rose by 5.47% in April alone, bringing the cumulative increase for the first four months of 2026 to 14.74%. The annual increase in food prices now stands at a staggering 43.90%, placing immense pressure on household budgets across the country.

Widening Gap Between Minimum Wage and Living Costs

TÜRK-İŞ emphasized that the current economic climate has made it nearly impossible for households relying on a single income to stay afloat. The minimum wage gap has become a critical issue; the difference between a single person’s living costs and the current minimum wage has widened to 16,726 TL as of April.

Significant price hikes were observed in daily staples. In the capital, Ankara, the price of a standard 200-gram loaf of bread rose by 14.50% to 17.50 TL. Additionally, the costs of sunflower oil, margarine, and rice increased notably. While some protein sources like chicken and eggs saw slight price drops, the overall cost of a basic food basket continues to trend upward.

Mixed Trends in Fresh Produce and Proteins

The produce market showed diverging trends this month. While vegetable prices saw a slight decrease after a spike in March, fruit prices surged once again. The average price for vegetables was 102.35 TL per kilogram, while fruit averaged 131.50 TL per kilogram. In the protein category, red meat prices showed limited cooling, while the end of the fishing season drove fish prices higher, further straining families’ ability to access affordable nutrition.

source: t24