Livelihood burden rises as consumer confidence falls

Livelihood burden rises as consumer confidence falls

The hunger and poverty data for March, released by the Research and Development unit (KAMU-AR) of the United Public Sector Workers’ Confederation (Birleşik Kamu-İş), drew attention. According to KAMU-AR, the hunger threshold—the amount required for a family of four to maintain a healthy diet—rose by 1,856 TL from the previous month to 35,819 TL.

STARVATION IS WORSENING

The poverty line, which covers basic needs beyond food, reached 106,826 TL with a monthly increase of 3,009 TL. The report emphasized that figures are expected to rise further in the coming months, particularly due to the escalation of tensions between Israel, the U.S., and Iran triggering energy price hikes.

While the minimum wage remains 7,744 TL below KAMU-AR’s starvation line, the gap between the lowest pension and the starvation line stands at 15,819 TL.

Note: This article is translated from the original article titled Geçim yükü arttı, güven geriliyor, published in BirGün newspaper on March 24, 2026.