United Public-Is Research: Hunger Limit Exceeded 28 Thousand Liras, Poverty Line Reached 88 Thousand Liras

ANKARA - The results of the August 2025 Hunger and Poverty Line survey published by the Research Center of the United Public-Is Confederation (KAMU-AR) have once again revealed the deepening economic problems in Turkey. According to the report, the hunger limit, which is the minimum food expenditure that a family of four should make for a healthy and balanced diet, increased by 774 liras in one month to 28 thousand 444 liras.

Food and Non-Food Expenditures Skyrocketed

According to the report, along with the increase in food expenditures, price increases in shelter, transportation and other basic needs items also pushed the poverty line to record levels. In addition to food, with the effect of price increases in other expenditure groups, especially housing and transportation, the poverty line increased by 2 thousand 567 liras in August compared to the previous month and reached 87 thousand 910 liras.

In the last one-year period, the increase in the hunger limit reached 7 thousand 486 liras and the increase in the poverty line reached 23 thousand 753 liras. These data reveal how inadequate the percentage increases imposed on public employees and pensioners are in the face of inflation.

Minimum Wage and Pensions Behind the Hunger Line

One of the most striking results of the research is that minimum wages, pensions and civil servant salaries are 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 limit and that the minimum wage should be increased by at least 28.7 percent to reach the hunger limit. It was pointed out that the four minimum wages barely meet the poverty line.

It was stated that the lowest pension of 16 thousand 881 liras is only enough for 18 days of nutrition, and that the lowest civil servant salary barely meets 57.5 percent of the poverty line and 65 percent of the average civil servant salary.

Changes in Food Expenditures

The highest price increase in August was in the meat-fish-egg group. Spending in this group increased by 446 liras in a month to 9 thousand 7 liras. Expenditures on milk, yogurt and cheese increased by 331 liras to 5,789 liras. On the other hand, there were small decreases in fruit and vegetable expenditures.

The research also revealed that the monthly expenditure amount that a family of four needs to meet their non-food needs has increased to 59 thousand 466 liras.