Poverty line nears 34,000 liras in March

The United Metal Workers' Union Research Center (BISAM) has released its starvation and poverty line report for March 2023.

According to the report, the monthly expenditure required for a family of four to have a healthy and balanced diet, or the starvation line, was 9,752 Turkish Liras in March 2023.

The poverty line, which includes household consumption expenditures (such as education, health, housing, entertainment, heating, transportation, etc.), was 33,754 Turkish Liras (1 US dollar = 19.34 Turkish liras).

The minimum wage in the country is 8,500 liras.

Food expenditures

The daily cost of the highest-priced group in March 2023 was the milk and dairy products group, with a required expenditure of 114.60 Turkish Liras. The minimum amount to be spent on meat, chicken, and fish was 61.60 Turkish Liras.

The daily expenditure required for vegetables and fruits reached 61.26 Turkish Liras, while the cost of bread was 23.4 Turkish Liras. Solid and liquid oils were the product groups that required an expenditure of 19.44 Turkish Liras. For eggs, 7.82 Turkish Liras, and for sugar, honey, jam, and molasses, an expenditure of 9.1 Turkish Liras is required.

In a daily expenditure of 325.1 Turkish Liras, the most expensive item was the amount of milk and dairy products required for a young person between the ages of 10 and 18, which was 32 Turkish Liras.

According to a narrower grouping, milk and dairy products had the highest share of expenditure at 35.3%, followed by the meat, egg, and legume group at 27.1%. Vegetables and fruits accounted for 18.9% of expenses, while bread, pasta, and similar items accounted for 10%. The total share of other food expenditures was 8.8%.

This report highlights the ongoing issue of poverty in Turkey, as the poverty line continues to rise above the minimum wage, making it increasingly difficult for families to meet basic needs. (RT/VK)