President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey, now entering his third decade in power, continues to demonstrate a remarkable appetite for influence. With his 71st birthday approaching, Erdoğan declared 2025 as “the year of the family,” unveiling plans to boost Turkey’s declining birth rate. As reported by The Financial Times, his policies reflect a broader intersection between social, economic, and foreign policy ambitions, amidst the country’s long-standing challenges.
Erdoğan’s speech, reminiscent of Russian President Vladimir Putin’s 2024 announcement of a similar “year of the family,” emphasizes the connection between population size and national power. As Turkey faces a fertility rate of 1.51—well below the replacement level of 2.1—Erdoğan expressed concern over a shrinking population and its potential impact on Turkey’s global standing. He also took aim at the growing financial burden of extravagant weddings, suggesting simpler ceremonies in line with Islamic teachings.
However, The Financial Times analysis points out that Turkey’s demographic challenges are not solely the result of cultural factors but also economic hardships, particularly in the wake of high inflation, which stands at over 44% as of December 2024. Economic difficulties, combined with inflation and political interventions, have created a tough environment for young families considering children.
The article further discusses Erdoğan’s shift in economic policy. After a series of unorthodox measures during the election campaign—such as keeping interest rates low—Erdoğan’s government has since embraced more conventional economic strategies. This pivot has helped stabilize Turkey’s finances and prompted an upgrade in its credit rating. Yet, the country’s long-term economic health remains uncertain, particularly given the persistent inflationary pressures.
A significant part of Erdoğan’s domestic strategy involves addressing the Kurdish question, a longstanding issue in Turkey. Cevdet Yılmaz, Erdoğan’s trusted vice president, has been instrumental in recent efforts to invest in the Kurdish-majority southeast of Turkey, with a focus on infrastructure and regional development. While some see this as a potential breakthrough in the Kurdish peace process, others caution that Erdoğan’s motivations are tied to securing his political future, especially as his ability to seek re-election in 2028 is restricted by Turkey’s constitution.
