3.5 million poor in five rich cities

Cem YILDIRIM

The power of The economic policies he implemented have led to a handful of people becoming richer and richer, while the number of low-income households has steadily increased. During the AKP era, millions of citizens have become unable to make ends meet without social assistance. While the Ministry of Family and Social Services boasts of providing social assistance to approximately 20 million people, the number of poor in Türkiye's five richest provinces has reached 3.5 million, further highlighting the extent of income inequality.

ISTANBUL AT THE TOP

The Ministry of Family and Social Services announced the number of people receiving social assistance in Türkiye's five richest provinces, based on 2025 data. According to the data, Istanbul, with the largest population, is the city with the highest number of poor citizens in Türkiye. It was determined that 367,708 households in Istanbul, or 1,470,832 citizens, are supported by social assistance.

Ankara followed the megacity with 161,982 households. According to the data, 647,982 citizens in Ankara received social assistance from the ministry. In Izmir, 141,589 households, or 566,356 people, were able to support themselves with social assistance. In Bursa, 101,656 households, or 406,624 people, were identified as needing social assistance.

According to the ministry's data, the number of people receiving social assistance in Antalya reached 62,400 households, or 249,600 people. In Istanbul, Ankara, Izmir, Bursa, and Antalya alone, the number of households supported by social assistance reached 835,335. In the five wealthier provinces, the number of citizens supported by assistance reached 3,341,394.

180 billion lira was spent to fight poverty

Poverty in the country is deepening. It was determined that by 2025, 14,148,740 people will be able to survive solely on regular social assistance. It was revealed that almost a quarter of the country is receiving aid due to inconsistent social support. In June of this year alone, 32,098,650,000 Turkish Lira was spent on poverty alleviation. In the first six months of 2025, the total amount spent on poverty alleviation reached 180,212,189,000 Turkish Lira.