Turkey's September inflation data paint a grim economic picture, showing that annual consumer price inflation reached an alarming 33.29%. This figure isn't just alarming – it's more than fifteen times higher than the European Union's average inflation rate, which officially stands at just 2.2%. This colossal difference, revealed in an analysis by the Research Center of the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions (DISK-AR) based on statistics from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), points to deep structural problems in the Turkish economy.
The DISK-AR report goes beyond general figures, delving into specific sectors and confirming that Turkey is facing the highest inflation in Europe, both in consumer prices overall and, especially for the population, in food prices. The rise in the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages in Turkey reached a dismal 36.06% year-on-year. By comparison, the EU average was only 3%. This means that the basic needs of Turkish citizens are rapidly becoming more expensive, putting significant pressure on family budgets and reducing purchasing power. This situation threatens social stability and requires immediate and effective government action to stabilize prices and mitigate the negative impact on citizens.
The inflation gap between Turkey and the European Union continues to widen, significantly impacting purchasing power. As the DISK-AR report highlights, by September 2025, the inflation-adjusted real value of the minimum wage had fallen by a significant 5,621 GEL. The overall picture is even more alarming considering that since 2003, consumer prices in Turkey have increased 33.7-fold, while food prices have risen even more rapidly, increasing 47-fold.
While inflation in EU member states remains relatively subdued, it remains high in Turkey. Analysis shows that the Turkish economy is increasingly diverging from the European average, both in terms of overall inflation and in prices in specific sectors, such as food production. This directly impacts low- and middle-income households, who are experiencing the greatest difficulties.
Official data presented in the report confirm that inflation remains a structural problem for Turkey, profoundly affecting citizens' daily lives and purchasing power. The continuing gap with Europe, according to DISK-AR, heightens concerns about price stability in the country. This is particularly relevant given the cumulative impact on wages and the overall standard of living of households, which are facing a persistent decline in real incomes.
The DISK-AR report goes beyond general figures, delving into specific sectors and confirming that Turkey is facing the highest inflation in Europe, both in consumer prices overall and, especially for the population, in food prices. The rise in the cost of food and non-alcoholic beverages in Turkey reached a dismal 36.06% year-on-year. By comparison, the EU average was only 3%. This means that the basic needs of Turkish citizens are rapidly becoming more expensive, putting significant pressure on family budgets and reducing purchasing power. This situation threatens social stability and requires immediate and effective government action to stabilize prices and mitigate the negative impact on citizens.
The inflation gap between Turkey and the European Union continues to widen, significantly impacting purchasing power. As the DISK-AR report highlights, by September 2025, the inflation-adjusted real value of the minimum wage had fallen by a significant 5,621 GEL. The overall picture is even more alarming considering that since 2003, consumer prices in Turkey have increased 33.7-fold, while food prices have risen even more rapidly, increasing 47-fold.
While inflation in EU member states remains relatively subdued, it remains high in Turkey. Analysis shows that the Turkish economy is increasingly diverging from the European average, both in terms of overall inflation and in prices in specific sectors, such as food production. This directly impacts low- and middle-income households, who are experiencing the greatest difficulties.
Official data presented in the report confirm that inflation remains a structural problem for Turkey, profoundly affecting citizens' daily lives and purchasing power. The continuing gap with Europe, according to DISK-AR, heightens concerns about price stability in the country. This is particularly relevant given the cumulative impact on wages and the overall standard of living of households, which are facing a persistent decline in real incomes.