11.8 million people are in the grip of extreme poverty

The AKP, which came to power with the promise of "ending poverty," has left citizens dependent on social assistance. Nearly a quarter of the population has been forced to rely on social assistance. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Family and Social Policies, 14,148,740 people currently rely on regular social assistance. According to the Ministry's definition, in addition to the poor, there are also "extremely poor" in Türkiye. The Ministry's data identifies 11,877,932 of those receiving regular social assistance as "extremely poor."

THE WORKING PERSON IS ALSO POOR

The Ministry of Family and Social Services' institutional activity report stated, "With the Family Support Program, our citizens who are below the extreme poverty line are included in the social assistance system and are saved from extreme poverty. Support between 850-1,250 TL has been provided, depending on their household income, to our citizens who face situations such as working poverty, retirement poverty, and citizens who cannot benefit from these aids."

This acknowledges that workers and retirees also face extreme poverty. As of December 2024, 11,877,932 people had benefited from the Turkey Family Support Program, designed for the "extremely poor." The program was terminated at the end of December 2024. Finally, 2,969,483 households benefited from the program. This year, 14,148,740 people benefited from regular social assistance. The Family Support Program has ended, but regular social assistance continues.

THE LIGHTS ARE ON WITH HELP

In the first 6 months of the year, electricity bills in households where 13 million 845 thousand people live were paid with government support. While 1 million 343 thousand 109 households benefited from electricity assistance in 2019, this number increased to 659 thousand 448 households in 2020. In 2021, 1 million 792 thousand 200 households received electricity assistance. In 2022, this number was 2 million 719 thousand 745 households, and 3 million 685 thousand households in 2023. As of the end of 2024, 3 million 428 thousand 491 households benefit from electricity consumption support. In the first 6 months of 2025, this number was 3 million 461 thousand 452 households.