Turkey
Istanbul | October 2019
TRY 24.36, TRY 6.99 (USD 1.22, EUR 1.11) for food.
This is based on per capita per-day basis of the relative poverty threshold of 50% of median income, and the lowest quintile household’s average proportion of expenditure on food and non-alcoholic beverages (excluding restaurants).
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TURKSTAT) has been monitoring absolute and relatively poverty rates since 2002. Of both types of measures, relative poverty lines have been more regularly and recently updated. Under the relative poverty measure, TURKSTAT monitors thresholds of 50% and 60% of the population’s median equivalized household disposable income. The Income and Living Conditions Survey 2018 found that at the 50% threshold level, the relative poverty rate was 13.9%. Of household types, the highest poverty rate (at 50% threshold) was found among extended family households (18.8%), higher than one-family households (12.9%) and single person households (9.6%). (deemed to be at-risk-of-poverty-rate). At the 60% threshold, the poverty rate was 21.2% in 2018.
In 2018, the lowest income quintile households’ consumption expenditure was highest on housing and rent (31.4%). Food and non-alcoholic beverages accounted for 28.7%, transportation 9.3%, and furniture and household appliances 5.9%.
In 2019, the Turkish Confederation of Workers’ Unions (TURK-IS) reported that the weakened Turkish Lira and increased unemployment had led to higher poverty rates. And that food inflation had increased the cost of living and food expenditure for households.
Note: Latest available standards and exchange rates were taken as of October 2019, when the photography was undertaken.
Understanding More
Turkish Statistical Institute, Income and Living Conditions Survey 2018
IPA News, Poverty on the rise in Turkey as food prices soar says TURK-IS report