Erdoğan Links Fertility Rates to Cultural Shifts at Forum
ANKARA – May 16, 2024 – President Erdoğan addressed the International Family Forum in Ankara, examining the causes behind declining fertility rates.The forum, hosted by the Ministry of Family and Social Services, focused on family protection in a globalizing world. The President argued the decline stems from cultural shifts, not economic factors, and this perspective may influence policy growth going forward.
Erdoğan Addresses International Family Forum, Links Fertility Rates to Cultural Shifts
President Erdoğan addressed the International Family Forum, hosted by the Ministry of Family and Social Services. The forum’s theme centered on protection and strengthening of the family in the globalizing world.
Economic Prosperity vs. Fertility Rates: A Paradox?
President Erdoğan highlighted data from TURKSTAT, indicating potential threats facing the nation. He addressed concerns often raised by the opposition, particularly regarding the economy.
Erdoğan countered the argument that economic hardship is the primary driver of declining birth rates,stating:
The reason for the decrease in birth in our contry is never the periodic problems in the economy. On the contrary, the fertility rate of our country was about 2 times higher in the periods when the per capita income was one -fifth of the current level. Over the years, as the level of prosperity increased, our fertility rate has started to decrease for many reasons.
President Erdoğan
Global Trends and Cultural Influences
Erdoğan emphasized that declining fertility rates are not unique to Türkiye, observing a similar trend in numerous countries worldwide. He noted that today, more than half of the world countries are below the level of fertility in the population.
He also pointed out that Bulgaria has the highest fertility in Europe wiht the lowest rate of fertility.
He attributed the decline, not to economic factors, but to cultural shifts:
The comfort of popular culture is the most important reason for troubles.
President Erdoğan
He elaborated that suggestions promoting comfort, consumption, and self-enthusiasm, prevalent in popular culture, contribute substantially to these demographic challenges.
Goverment initiatives and Support
President Erdoğan announced 2025 as the year of the family,
underscoring the government’s commitment to addressing these issues.He detailed various economic and social support programs aimed at facilitating marriage for young people, noting that support has been extended to 41,000 individuals.
Further support packages are planned for newborns. We will pay birth aid on May 28th. We will pay about 1.2 billion pounds to 163 thousand 295 households.
Erdoğan stressed the need for a long-term vision and holistic policies to manage the changing population structure.
