Life changed dramatically for a Turkish family just a few months ago. Finances tightened, and the warm, ordinary rhythm of daily meals faded. The mother, her husband, and their three daughters could dine out a few times a month before, and at home she planned meals to please everyone without worrying about price. Now the scene is different, and shopping lists carry a heavier weight of necessity rather than variety.
“I went to the market the other day and bought a tomato and three peppers. I wanted to donate the clothesline because I was so embarrassed. He said to me, ‘Don’t worry, you are not the only one,’ yet the truth felt harsher. People are trimming purchases to two peppers and one cucumber. The shame of having to cut back is overwhelming.” The family’s income comes from two salaries, but it often falls short. The struggle is real, and the worry is daily.
Why is inflation so relentless in Turkey? While many European economies see inflation around 8 percent and even Spain reports a record 10.8 percent, Turkey’s official numbers climb quickly. ENAG Group presents another view, suggesting inflation may be higher, sometimes in double digits, when compared with international benchmarks.
“Society is poorer every day; the situation is worsening. The government spots problems but slogans do not feed stomachs. Fruits, staples, vegetables, and flour are what most households want to buy. We’re living in a period where the majority of Turkish society cannot meet the minimum daily nutritional needs,” explains Veysel Ulusoy, director of ENAG and a professor at Yeditepe University.
to buy meat
Recent surveys reveal that over half of Turkish residents have completely stopped or drastically reduced meat consumption. Market prices surge daily, making it hard to refill the basket even compared with the week before. The world feels different from last year.
Restaurants struggle to keep prices stable as well. Some menus display prices only on labels that are updated frequently. “We can’t buy meat anymore. My daughters used to eat meat twice a week, but not now. I try to buy chickens, but I can only manage once every ten days,” says the mother, Ebru.
“When I get my salary, most of it goes to bills. There’s nothing left for small comforts, school supplies, or going out. There is no extra room,” she adds.
A wave of strikes and demonstrations swept through the country in the spring, prompting President Recep Tayyip Erdogan to raise the inter-professional minimum wage for the second time in six months to 5,500 Turkish Lira, roughly 300 euros at current rates. In Istanbul, rents for a family apartment hover at similar levels, underscoring the pressure on households.
The secret is in numbers.
The situation is so strained that economist Ulusoy notes the government appears to be “tightening” the figures as investors watch closely. Inflation, he argues, has not yet reached three digits in the official tally, but the true picture may be higher. ENAG Group emphasizes that they are delivering a clearer view of price reality, even as authorities face legal challenges and threats of dismissal. Ulusoy says the public deserves the truth, and the team remains determined to reveal it despite obstacles. He adds, “What the people on the street are doing matters more than any forecast.”
Meanwhile, Turks continue to struggle for basic needs amid a global energy squeeze driven by geopolitical tensions and the Ukraine war. Turkey relies heavily on imports for energy, a factor that compounds living costs for households.
“How old am I? What have I done in this life?” Ebru wonders. All her efforts aim to give her girls more opportunities—more studying, a comfortable bed, proper meals, and a stable home. She wonders whether a girl should have to eat less when there is not enough to go around. Yet the resolve to persevere remains; the family keeps pushing forward, hoping for relief that would support ordinary life, schooling, and a future where small joys stay within reach.”