Turkey is heading towards a demographic shift .. An aging society versus the lowest number of children

The latest data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜIK) reveals a striking demographic shift in the country, as the number of children declines to unprecedented levels alongside a noticeable increase in the elderly population, raising concerns about the future of demographic balance.

The figures show that the number of children under the age of four has decreased this year to about 4.9 million children only, the lowest number recorded in Turkey's history. In contrast, the number of those over the age of sixty-five has risen to 9.4 million people, an increase of half a million from last year, with the elderly now making up 11% of the total population.

The data indicates that women live longer than men, with the number of women over 65 years old reaching about 5.2 million compared to 4.2 million men, and the age gap widens more clearly among those over ninety.

The productive age group (15–64 years) still constitutes the majority of the population at 68.4%, but long-term forecasts confirm that Turkey is rapidly heading towards "societal aging," with one in four citizens expected to be over 65 by 2080.

Turkish sociologist Professor İsmail Tufan commented on these indicators, stating that longevity has become a prominent feature of the twenty-first century, warning that Turkey, which could reach a population of 101 million, will include about 30 million people over sixty in the coming decades, necessitating early preparation for a new phase in demographic composition.