What are the main objectives of declaring 2025 as the “Year of the Family” in Türkiye?
Under the auspices of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and led by the Ministry of Family and Social Services (MoFSS), 2025 has been declared the “Year of the Family.” the main objectives are to protect and strengthen the institution of the family against harmful influences and to support the dynamic development of the population. the initiative aims to raise nationwide awareness on issues related to family and demographics.
In a time when the family institution faces global risks—such as the spread of consumerism, digital addiction, weakened intergenerational communication, and the increasing visibility of genderless ideologies and LGBT+ narratives—one of the key goals is to safeguard the family structure. Additionally, due to declining fertility and population growth rates, efforts are being made to raise the fertility rate above the replacement level of 2.1. Furthermore, the initiative aims to address challenges families face, develop support mechanisms, and promote the vision of a strong society built on strong families.
What kinds of programs, projects, and policies are planned under the Year of the Family initiative?
Numerous programs, projects, and activities have been designed under the Year of the Family initiative. Speaking at the launch event held at the Presidential Complex on January 13, 2025, President Erdoğan announced new measures aimed at supporting families and revitalizing the population. Among the most notable were the establishment of the Population Policy Council and the Family Institute. The council held its first meeting on January 9, 2025, under the chairmanship of Vice President Cevdet Yılmaz.
President Erdoğan also stated that further announcements will follow throughout the year. He emphasized that material support to encourage marriage, counseling services, and especially housing support for young couples will be provided. Remote and flexible working methods will be promoted to help achieve work-life balance, and free or low-cost childcare services will be made available for working parents. He also noted that medical assistance would be offered to individuals facing fertility challenges. Additional new services to support families and the population will be announced during the year. Relevant ministries, especially MoFSS, will fulfill their responsibilities by developing related policies and services.
What are the potential impacts of the Year of the Family on Türkiye’s family structure and demographic trends?
The planned initiatives under the Year of the Family are expected to have multi-dimensional effects on Türkiye’s family structure and demographics. All policies, services, and support mechanisms developed within this framework will positively influence families and population dynamics, contributing to the formation of healthier and more resilient families.
If these policies also resonate at the discursive level, they will raise social awareness and help strengthen intergenerational communication. Especially in a country where the elderly population is steadily increasing, these policies could play a key role in preserving the bond between generations by encouraging older adults to remain integrated within their families and daily life.
Moreover, policies and supports introduced under the Year of the Family are expected to positively influence fertility rates. Implementing realistic and sustainable strategies could help increase the population growth rate. Financial incentives to encourage marriage—a key variable affecting fertility—are particularly significant in this regard. However, sustainable population growth requires patience and a systematic approach from both policymakers and beneficiaries.
Alongside positive effects, potential risks should also be considered. Policies, services, and supports must be distributed fairly. Both public authorities and recipients should uphold principles of justice, rights, and responsibility to ensure the success of the initiative. Otherwise, the intended impact may not be achieved, and those in need may not receive the necessary support.
Sustainability, consistency, and timely updates of these supports—especially financial ones—according to economic conditions are crucial. It is also important to revise support mechanisms based on emerging needs and to ensure that those who no longer require support exit the system.
In short, the Year of the Family has the potential to bring about various effects on Türkiye’s family structure and demographic trends. However, the extent and direction of these effects will depend on the quality, scope, sustainability, and public ownership of the implemented policies and practices.
What types of support, services, and policies are included in the Year of the Family?
Initially opened for applications in earthquake-affected provinces, the Family and Youth Fund was made available nationwide on January 13, 2025, by President Erdoğan. In this context, newlyweds can benefit from an interest-free loan of 150,000 TL, repayable over 48 months with a 2-year grace period. However, certain conditions apply:
Be between the ages of 18–29
Not own or co-own any real estate
Combined average monthly income of the couple over the past 6 months, and the income of the most recent month, must not exceed 2.3 times the minimum wage
Be a Turkish citizen and reside in Türkiye
The official wedding date must be at least 2 months and at most 6 months from The date of application
Applicants must commit to and attend MoFSS’s pre-marital education and counseling services
Commit to attending post-marital education within 2 years
Not have previously benefited from this loan
One of the standout measures for increasing population under the Year of the Family is the enhancement of childbirth assistance programs. the one-time childbirth grant for a first child has increased from 300 TL to 5,000 TL. For a second child, instead of a one-time payment of 400 TL, families will now receive 1,500 TL per month. For the third and subsequent children, a monthly payment of 5,000 TL will be provided. No conditions or qualifications are required, and payments will be directly deposited into mothers’ bank accounts each month.
Support payments under the Social and Economic Support (SED) program for low-income families have also been increased. the average monthly support per child has been raised from 6,360 TL to 7,094 TL. Payments to foster families have increased from 10,159 TL to 11,332 TL per child. Home care assistance for families with disabled or elderly individuals in need of care has also been raised—from 9,077 TL to 10,125 TL for the January–July 2025 period.
In addition, MoFSS provides a wide range of services and policies such as family education, the Family School Project, marriage and couple counseling, the Family and Marriage School Project, and child and adolescent counseling.
What responsibilities fall on individuals and NGOs to ensure the success of the Year of the Family?
To achieve the goals of the Year of the Family, both individuals and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have significant responsibilities. These responsibilities include strengthening the family institution, improving family well-being, supporting population growth, and raising social awareness.
In this context, it is crucial to:
Strengthen communication within the family and intergenerational bonds
Enhance parenting skills
Uphold and promote family values
Raise awareness about family strengthening and population growth
Participate in volunteer efforts
Be a role model in all circumstances
Take a firm stance against all forms of violence
For the Year of the Family to be truly effective, individuals and NGOs must take an active role. the successful implementation of policies and services, and the efficient use of resources, are of great importance. In particular, the involvement of NGOs in this process and their engagement with individuals through various activities will make a major contribution toward achieving the goals of the Year of the Family.
