President Erdogan Warns of Demographic Disaster as Türkiye's Fertility Rate Drops

President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has raised a stark alarm over Türkiye's declining population, labeling the drop in the fertility rate a "disaster" that requires immediate national attention. He delivered this urgent message on Thursday during his address at the Family and Culture-Arts Symposium held in the capital city of Ankara.

Measures Against Perceived Threats

Focusing on the challenges to the family unit, President Erdogan underscored his government's stance. "We are taking measures against gender-neutrality impositions and LGBT movements, allowing no concessions or complacency," he stated. He positioned this effort as part of a broader struggle to protect Turkish families from the effects of global capitalism and intensifying cultural and digital pressures.

The Underlying Demographic Data

The central catalyst for the president's warning is the latest official statistic, which revealed that Türkiye's total fertility rate has decreased to 1.48. This figure is well below the replacement level, signaling potential long-term economic and social challenges for the nation. Erdogan emphasized that these numbers are "sounding loud alarm bells for our future," and called for collective responsibility.

A Call for National Vigilance

Concluding his remarks, the president made a direct appeal to the public's sense of duty. He asserted that no one who is concerned with the nation's destiny can afford to be indifferent to this demographic shift. The symposium in Ankara thus served as a platform to rally support for policies aimed at bolstering the traditional family structure against what he perceives as modern threats.