Türkiye ranks 2nd in global child poverty, faces rising food inflation

Türkiye is facing a dual challenge of high child poverty and soaring food prices. According to UNICEF data, the country has the second-highest rate of child poverty globally, with 33.8% of children living below the poverty line.

The statistic is only exacerbated by the food inflation rate, which stands at 58.9% – the highest among OECD countries. Colombia currently holds the unfortunate distinction of having the highest child poverty rate at 35.8%.

Main opposition CHP Manisa Deputy Ahmet Vehbi Bakirlioglu, while evaluating the OECD food inflation data and UNICEF child poverty data, stated, “According to the data, in 2023, 7.6 million of the 22.2 million children in Türkiye live below the relative poverty line. The number of relatively poor children in early childhood is 3.5 million. In this context, child poverty is seen as a level above adult poverty. One in five children goes to school hungry.”

Bakirlioglu noted that the number of children whose basic needs are not met stands at 171,895, and “This number is projected to reach 200,000 by 2025. Our youth, who are the future of our country, are struggling with unemployment, and our children are battling hunger. Many of our children experience learning difficulties and delays in their mental and physical development due to hunger.”