United Public Labor Union (Birleşik Kamu-İş) KAMU-AR Report: Hunger Line Exceeds 26.5 Thousand TL, Poverty Line Crosses 80 Thousand for the First Time!

ANKARA – The May 2025 hunger and poverty line data released by KAMU-AR, the R&D unit of the United Public Labor Union (Birleşik Kamu-İş Confederation), once again revealed the alarming rise in the cost of living in Turkey. According to the report, the hunger line, representing the food expenditure required for a family of four to eat a balanced and healthy diet, reached 26,452 Turkish Liras. The poverty line, meanwhile, surpassed 80,000 liras for the first time, reaching 81,602 liras, influenced by high price increases not only in food but also in housing, transportation, household goods, clothing, health, and education.

KAMU-AR, the research unit of the United Public Labor Union Confederation, announced the results of its May 2025 hunger and poverty line survey, which it publishes monthly. The data indicates that the fundamental struggle for subsistence for citizens in Turkey is becoming increasingly difficult.

Record Increases in Hunger and Poverty Lines

In May, the hunger line increased by 274 liras compared to the previous month, reaching 26,452 liras. The poverty line, influenced by significant price hikes not only in food but also in essential spending categories such as housing, transportation, household goods, clothing, health, and education, surged by 2,189 liras to 81,602 liras. This increase marked the first time the poverty line has exceeded 80,000 liras.

Over the last year, the situation has become even more severe:

• Hunger Line: Increased by 6,526 liras.
• Poverty Line: Soared by exactly 22,249 liras.

According to the KAMU-AR report, expenditures required for non-food needs also rose by 1,916 liras in May, reaching 55,150 liras. Over the past 12 months, this category saw an increase of 15,724 liras.

Minimum Wage and Pensioner Salaries Remain Insufficient

One of the most striking findings of the report is that the minimum wage falls short even of the hunger line. In May, the hunger line exceeded the 2025 minimum wage of 22,104 liras by a significant 4,384 liras. This situation indicates that the minimum wage needs to increase by at least 20 percent to reach the hunger line. The report predicts that this percentage will continue to rise in the coming months.

Birleşik Kamu-İş stated that the minimum wage can barely cover the food expenses of a four-person family for only 25 days, and it cannot even cover one-third of the poverty line. This implies that even if three people in a family work for the minimum wage, they cannot reach the poverty line.

The situation for pensioners is even more critical. The lowest pension of 14,469 liras, applied this year, was highlighted as being sufficient for only 16 days of food for a four-person family.

Current Food Expenditure Situation (Ankara Example)

According to market research conducted in Ankara, the monthly expenditures for essential food items required for a balanced and healthy diet are as follows:

Category	May 2024 (TL)	Dec 2024 (TL)	Apr 2025 (TL)	May 2025 (TL)	Monthly Change (TL)	Five-Month Change (TL)	Annual Change (TL)
Meat-Egg	5,995	6,631	7,920	8,169	249	1,538	2,174
Dried Legumes	422	461	499	499	0	38	77
Milk-Yogurt-Cheese	4,545	4,591	5,297	5,352	55	761	807
Fresh Fruit	1,972	2,267	2,601	3,402	801	1,135	1,430
Fresh Vegetable	2,131	3,455	3,643	3,054	-589	-401	923
Bread-Flour-Pasta	1,572	2,049	2,172	2,211	39	162	639
Rice-Bulgur	826	873	997	876	-121	3	50
Oil	566	626	593	620	27	-6	54
Sugar-Honey-Jam	1,310	1,557	1,888	1,688	-200	131	378
Olives	586	746	568	581	13	-165	-5
HUNGER LINE (Total)	19,926	23,256	26,178	26,452	274	3,196	6,526

Non-Food Expenditures and Their Impact on the Poverty Line

Non-food expenditures play a critical role in determining the poverty line. As of May 2025, a family of four needs to spend an average of 55,150 liras monthly to meet all their non-food needs, ranging from clothing and footwear to education, transportation, and housing, in a manner "worthy of human dignity and without feeling deprivation."

Selected Non-Food Expenditure Items (May 2025):

• Clothing and Footwear: 2,087 TL
• Housing (including rent): 15,453 TL
• Household Goods: 6,668 TL
• Health: 2,336 TL
• Transportation: 15,129 TL
• Communication: 1,542 TL
• Entertainment and Culture: 1,526 TL
• Education: 1,505 TL
• Holiday-Hotel: 5,958 TL
• Various Goods and Services: 2,946 TL

These figures clearly demonstrate the income inequality and the devastating impact of inflation on household budgets in Turkey. The Birleşik Kamu-İş Confederation called on authorities to take urgent measures in response to this striking situation and to ensure living conditions worthy of human beings for workers and pensioners.