Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş Launches Field Study on Declining Fertility Rate
Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş announced an important field study on the declining fertility rate, stating, “We are forming a working group consisting of officials from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance alongside our ministry.”
Minister Göktaş fulfilled the wishes of children in state care who had never ridden a high-speed train and had expressed a desire to do so. She traveled with them to Konya on a high-speed train, engaging in lively conversations and showing keen interest throughout the journey.
In a statement to journalists during the trip, Minister Göktaş emphasized the value of children. She noted that state-cared children have participated in various activities and events throughout the summer. “The children we traveled with today have either never been on a high-speed train or have never visited Konya before,” she said.
The children who expressed a wish to ride a high-speed train would explore cultural and touristic sites in Konya and participate in various activities, Göktaş shared, adding, “Our children are looking forward to a wonderful day. We share their excitement.”
Answering journalists’ questions, Minister Göktaş commented on the work regarding the declining fertility rate reflected in Turkish Statistical Institute ( TÜİK) data. Acknowledging the importance of this issue for Turkey’s future, she indicated that comprehensive studies are being undertaken. “We will launch an important field study,” she declared.
Pointing out that the declining fertility rate and aging population is a global issue, Göktaş remarked, “We are aware of this issue’s seriousness. Although Turkey still has a young and dynamic population, lower fertility rates pose a significant risk in the future. Our ministry has been intensely working on this matter. We continue our policies under the newly established Family and Population Policies Department, examining international models and researching the reasons behind the decline in fertility rates.”
Minister Göktaş emphasized a multi-layered approach to policy development, asserting, “This issue concerns more than just working women. We approach it comprehensively, identifying the finest sensitivities to encompass all segments of society. We will launch an important field study on this topic.” Highlighting the multi-dimensional efforts, she said, “We are forming a working group consisting of officials from our ministry, the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, Ministry of Health, and Ministry of Finance. This group will be supported by field studies addressing the issue comprehensively.”
11,011 Couples Benefited from the Family and Youth Fund
Responding to a question about the progress of the pilot Family and Youth Fund in the earthquake zone, Göktaş stated, “Through the project implemented with our President’s vision, we aim to support and strengthen the family institution and protect young people against social risks.”
Göktaş highlighted the strong interest from young people, revealing, “As of today, 11,011 couples have applied to benefit from the fund. Over 3,500 young individuals have started receiving marriage and counseling services.” She stated that couples approved under the project are provided with a 150,000 TL interest-free loan, repayable over 48 months with a 2-year grace period, noting, “This month, we disbursed payments to 733 couples. A total of 2,385 couples approved for the project and who participated in the pre-marriage education program have had their funds credited to their accounts. These numbers will increase in the coming months.”
Minister Göktaş reiterated that the earthquake zone was selected as the pilot region for the Family and Youth Fund project and added, “I want to share new information on this. In the upcoming period, we plan to include the three provinces with the lowest birth rates as pilot areas for implementing our Family and Youth Fund.”
Increase in Social Assistance Payments
Regarding the new regulations on civil servant salary coefficients in July and the resultant social assistance payments, Göktaş explained that efforts continue to improve the capacity and services of social services and aids targeting the entire society. “We are developing new service models and areas, aiming to find solutions to emerging challenges and risks,” she stated.
Göktaş detailed the increments in social assistance payments: “With the increase in payments, the old-age pension rose from 3,504 TL to 4,181 TL. The pension for citizens with a disability rate of 40-69% increased from 2,797 TL to 3,338 TL, while it rose from 4,196 TL to 5,007 TL for those with a disability rate of 70% or above. The Home Care Allowance increased from 7,608 TL to 9,077 TL, and the monthly average payment per child to foster families rose from 8,515 TL to 10,159 TL. The economic support amount per child in the Social and Economic Support (SED) service increased from 5,330 TL to 6,360 TL, and the severe silicosis payment rose from 7,698 TL to 9,185 TL. The new payment amounts will be reflected in August as part of the July payments.”
Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş
Minister of Family and Social Services of the Republic of Turkey