Turkey’s high cost of living has become a serious headache, with inflation, a weakening lira, and general economic instability pushing everyday prices way up. Food, rent, and transportation keep getting more expensive, and the lira’s drop has made anything imported even harder to afford. For many families and young people, it’s become a constant balancing act just to get through the month.
The Economic Policy Research Foundation of Turkey says food prices in Turkey rose again in October, marking three straight months of increases and worsening the cost-of-living crisis.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, housing inflation is a major factor, with annual rent increases now averaging 120% and reaching up to 200% in cities like Istanbul and Izmir. Between 2018 and 2022, housing costs nationwide rose by 346%, and the trend continues. For young people on low wages, saving money or moving out is becoming nearly impossible. Many young adults are staying with their parents longer simply because rent is out of reach. With all this pressure, it’s no surprise a growing number of young Turks are thinking about leaving the country for better opportunities elsewhere.
A new report shows more than half of young people in Turkey aren’t working, highlighting just how tough things have become during the ongoing economic crisis. The report looked at 18- to 29-year-olds who are not in education, employment, or training (or NEET) and found about one-third of those not working are also not studying or in any form of training, putting Turkey among the highest NEET rates in the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development member countries and Europe. Researchers found economic hardship has weakened young people’s financial well-being and their outlook for the future. The study also shows women are 2.5 times more likely to be out of the workforce than men, often due to family or caregiving duties. Also, about one-third of young people doubt education prepares them for life or helps them find a good job.
Turkey’s higher-education system has seen a large number of students leaving programs in certain years — with more than 19 million students dropping out of Turkish universities in the past decade, according to the country’s Higher Education Board.
The primary drivers behind this trend are economic. Rising housing costs, reduced purchasing power, and limited financial aid have left many students choosing between education and basic living expenses. Most who dropped out were between 20 to 25 years old, with 9.7 million men and 9.35 million women affected.
It’s a tough situation all around, as young people are caught between skyrocketing costs and a lack of real opportunities. Even so, many still hope for better jobs, more support, and an economy that finally gives them some breathing room. With the right policies and a bit of stability, things could turn around — but for now, the struggle is real.
