Türkiye’s Minister of Health, Kemal Memişoğlu, voiced serious concerns over the nation’s sharply declining fertility rate, which has plummeted from 5.1 in the 1970s to just 1.5 today.

Speaking at the "1st Meeting of the Coordination Board for the Protection and Strengthening of the Family," Memişoğlu underscored the urgency of addressing this trend to secure both the future of Turkish society and the family unit.

“This trend threatens not only the future of society but also the very foundation of the family unit,” Memişoğlu said, calling for measures to improve family structures and increase the birth rate. He acknowledged that the growing influence of social media has made it increasingly challenging for families to shield themselves from external pressures. “Modern media often exerts a powerful influence on societal values and individual behaviors, making the role of families in raising children more difficult,” he noted.

To support families in coping with these challenges, Memişoğlu highlighted a range of government initiatives. He pointed to the establishment of 269 Healthy Life Centres across Türkiye, providing services such as family support programs, child psychology consultations, child development specialists, and family counseling. According to Memişoğlu, these programs are geared toward raising public awareness and equipping families with resources to fortify family bonds.

“The family is the cornerstone of society, and by supporting it, we are investing in the well-being of future generations,” he stated. Memişoğlu reiterated the Ministry of Health’s commitment to bolstering family-oriented initiatives, which aim to revitalize family structures and strengthen the social fabric of the nation.

Memişoğlu concluded by emphasizing the significance of collaborative efforts to safeguard Türkiye’s family units and improve fertility rates. He described these measures as critical, not only for enhancing individual quality of life but also for ensuring the nation’s long-term stability and sustainability. (ILKHA)