Türkiye’s hunger threshold surpasses $584

Türkiye’s hunger threshold, representing the monthly cost of food for a family of four in Ankara, surpassed ₺20,000 ($584.06), according to data released by the Turkish Trade Union (Turk-Is).

October figures show the threshold has risen from ₺19,830 to ₺20,431, while the poverty line for a family’s essential monthly expenses climbed to ₺66,553. The minimum wage in Türkiye is ₺20,003 gross and ₺17,002 net with an increase of 49% as of Jan. 1, 2024.

• Monthly food expenditure for a family of four (hunger threshold): ₺20,432.
• Total income needed for a household to cover all basic expenditures, including food (the poverty threshold): ₺66,553.
• Monthly cost of living for a single person: ₺26,527.
• Monthly kitchen inflation was 3.03%, 12-month average 49.31% and annual average 68.07%.

Growing gap between minimum wage and hunger threshold

Türkiye’s minimum wage remains set at ₺17,002, creating a gap of ₺3,429 between the wage and the hunger threshold.

Turk-Is data indicates that this gap has continued to widen as inflation rates persistently affect household budgets, highlighting economic pressure on low-income earners.

Poverty threshold continues to climb

Defined as the total cost of necessary monthly expenses – including housing, food, transportation, education, and health care – the poverty line increased from ₺64,595 to ₺66,553 in October.

The average monthly living cost for a single worker also rose from ₺25,706 to ₺26,527.

Food inflation reaches 49.3% annually

Food inflation saw a 3.03% rise in October alone, with a 12-month increase of 49.3%. The sustained inflation rate is pushing basic food costs higher, impacting household budgets nationwide and contributing to the persistent gap between income and essential living expenses.