Erdogan wants Turkey to have more babies. Few parents are listening
President Erdogan of Turkey is advocating for higher birth rates, calling birth control a 'betrayal' and the declining fertility rate a 'disaster'. Despite his efforts, Turkey's total fertility rate has fallen below the replacement level of 2.1, attributed to urbanization, changing lifestyles, and economic challenges. Many families find the financial burden of raising children too high, leading to skepticism about Erdogan's proposals for larger families.
- ▪Turkey's total fertility rate has been declining for over a decade and is currently at an all-time low of 1.48.
- ▪Erdogan has promoted traditional family values and urged citizens to have more children, suggesting families should aim for four or five.
- ▪Economic factors, including high inflation and low wages, are significant barriers for families considering more children.
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For subscribersErdogan wants Turkey to have more babies. Few parents are listeningSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxTurkey's total fertility rate has been declining for more than a decade, and is now below the 2.1 needed to keep the population stable without migration.PHOTO: AFPBen Hubbard and Safak TimurPublished May 19, 2026, 05:30 PMUpdated May 19, 2026, 05:30 PMISTANBUL – President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey has called birth control a “betrayal” and his country’s falling birth rate a “disaster”.For much of his 23 years as Turkey’s top politician, he has urged Turks to have more children and promoted traditional families, in which fathers provide and mothers focus on the home – with three children, if not more.“Why not have at least four children, or five?”…
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