Starvation Line is 1,971 Lira in Turkey, Where Minimum Wage is 2,020 Lira

* Photograph: Archive / Anadolu Agency

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The United Metal Workers' Union Research Center (BİSAM) has announced its data on "starvation and poverty lines" for June 2019.

Accordingly, while the consumer prices increased by 0.03 percent in June, the starvation line of a four-member family, which was announced as 2 thousand 47 Turkish Lira (TRY)* in May 2019, was measured as 1 thousand 971 TRY in June. In other words, the BİSAM calculated the monthly food expenses of a four-member family as 1,971 TRY last month.

The Center has also announced the poverty line of a four-member family as 6 thousand 818 TRY in June 2019. In the previous month, the poverty line was higher, namely 7 thousand 80 TRY.

With the latest increase that enetered into effect in January 2019, the minimum wage in Turkey is 2,020 TRY, or around 360 US dollars.

Food expenses based on age groups and gender

Sharing detailed information about the daily food expenses to be made by women, men and children to maintain a healthy and balanced diet, the BİSAM has informed that a woman had to spend a minimum of 16.91 TRY to eat properly and a man had to spend 17.49 TRY.

While the minimum daily food expense of a child at the age of 10-18 was measured as 18.61 TRY in June, a minimum of 12.69 TRY was necessary to fulfill the minimum food needs of a 4- to 6-year-old child.

'An increase of 214 Turkish Lira'

The Center has made the following remarks on the above data:

"According to a narrower classification, milk and dairy products have the largest share in expenses with 39.7 percent and the ratio of fruits and vegetables has become 24.3 percent. The food expenses necessary for a healthy nutrition has increased by 214 TRY in a year."

Definitions

Starvation line refers to the food expenses of a four-member family for a health, balanced and sufficient diet. As for the poverty line, it refers to the necessary expenses of clothing, housing (rent, electricity, water and fuel, transportation, education, health and the like. (TP/SD)

* As of 1.25 p.m. today (July 5), one US Dollar was 5.61 TRY and one Euro was 6.32 TRY. (source: tr.investing.com)