Politics · Turkey · 5 hrs ago
Türkiye’s fertility rate falls as population ages
Türkiye’s population grew from 85.5 million in the second quarter of 2024 to 86.3 million in the second quarter of 2026, but its growth rate has slowed.
The fertility rate is now 1.42 children per woman, below the 2.1 rate needed to sustain a population.
The number of children aged four and under fell by 457,000 over those two years, while the number of people aged 65 and older rose by 867,000.
More than nine in ten people in Türkiye live in cities, where fertility rates are lower than in rural areas.
The figures point to a smaller future workforce and more people relying on pensions and other social support.
That could put pressure on the social security system and the economy.
The figures describe a growing demographic challenge, but they do not set out specific next steps.
Türkiye’s total fertility rate has fallen to 1.42 children per woman, below the 2.1 replacement level, according to Daily Sabah.
The article says the country’s annual population growth rate is around 1 per thousand, the lowest in the republic’s history.
The population aged 65 and over rose by 867,000 between the second quarters of 2024 and 2026, while the number of children aged 0-4 fell by 457,000.
Fertility is lower in more urbanized areas, ranging from 1.75 children per woman in rural areas to 1.33 in high-density urban areas.
The article links falling fertility to urban living, housing costs, the cost of living and job insecurity.
- Who
- Türkiye’s population, with fertility rates and age groups discussed in the article.
- What
- Fertility has fallen to 1.42 children per woman as the population ages.
- When
- The article reports figures through the second quarter of 2026 and fertility data for 2025.
- Where
- Türkiye.
- Why
- The article links lower fertility to urbanization, housing costs, the cost of living and job insecurity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Türkiye’s population increased by 92,000, down from more than 600,000 the previous year.
The total fertility rate was 2.1 children per woman.
The total fertility rate had fallen to 1.51 children per woman.
Türkiye’s population stood at 85.5 million and the 0-4 age group numbered 5.22 million.
Türkiye’s population reached 86.3 million and the 0-4 age group numbered 4.77 million.
- Total fertility rate
- 1.42 children per woman
- Replacement fertility level
- 2.1 children per woman
- Population
- 86.3 million in the second quarter of 2026
- Children aged 0-4
- 4.77 million in the second quarter of 2026
- Population aged 65 and over
- 9.79 million in the second quarter of 2026
- Urban population
- 93% of Türkiye’s population lives in cities
Sources
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