Ageing in Turkey

Abstract

A comprehensive gerontological and geriatric analysis of Turkey’s population could not have come at a more opportune moment. The demographic transition, which, until recently, was mostly viewed as a phenomenon of the more developed countries, has started becoming a feature of many developing countries like Turkey. From 1960 to 2013, the population of Turkey increased almost threefold, with older adults aged 65 and older increasing almost sevenfold. Although in comparison to many European countries, Turkey is still characterised by a relatively young population, two demographic factors are noteworthy. First, the fast transformation in family structure from large extended families to smaller nuclear households and the increasing occupational careerism of women in the labour market, so that the total fertility rate is expected to decrease sharply in the foreseeable years. This means that the demographic transition towards an aged society will be faster than in other low – and middle-income countries. Second, as a by-product of in socio-economic and medicinal advancement, the life expectancy in Turkey is also projected to increase sharply by the end of the next decade.