Birleşik Kamu-İş Research: The Hunger Line Exceeds 28 Thousand Liras, the Poverty Line Reaches 88 Thousand Liras

ANKARA - The results of the August 2025 Hunger and Poverty Line research published by the Research Center (KAMU-AR) of the United Public-Labor Confederation (Birleşik Kamu-İş Konfederasyonu) once again revealed the deepening economic difficulties in Türkiye. According to the report, the hunger line—the minimum food expenditure required for a family of four to eat a healthy and balanced diet—increased by 774 liras in a month, rising to 28,444 liras.

Food and Non-Food Expenditures Soar

According to the released report, along with the increase in food expenditures, price increases in housing, transportation, and other essential spending categories pushed the poverty line to record levels. Due to the impact of price increases in food and other spending groups, particularly housing and transportation, the poverty line rose by 2,567 liras in August compared to the previous month, reaching 87,910 liras.

Over the past year, the hunger line increased by 7,486 liras, and the poverty line increased by 23,753 liras. These figures show how insufficient the percentage raises imposed on public employees and retirees are in the face of inflation.

Minimum Wage and Retirement Pensions Fall Behind the Hunger Line

One of the most striking results of the research was that minimum wage, retirement, and civil servant salaries remain far below the hunger and poverty lines. The report states that the net minimum wage of 22,104 liras is 6,340 liras above the hunger line, and the minimum wage needs to be increased by at least 28.7% to reach the hunger line. It was also noted that four minimum wages are barely enough to meet the poverty line.

It was stated that the lowest retirement pension of 16,881 liras is only enough for 18 days of nutrition, and the lowest civil servant salary can barely meet 57.5% of the poverty line, while the average civil servant salary can barely meet 65%.

Changes in Food Expenditures

In August, the largest price increase was in the meat-fish-egg group. Expenditure in this group increased by 446 liras in one month, reaching 9,007 liras. Expenditures on milk, yogurt, and cheese rose by 331 liras to 5,789 liras. In contrast, there were small decreases in fruit and vegetable expenditures.

The research also revealed that the monthly expenditure a family of four needs to make for non-food items has risen to 59,466 liras.