Turkey: Over half million out of poverty

by Yuksel Serdar Oguz

ANKARA

Sixty thousand people in Turkey have been lifted out of poverty in the last year, according to statistics from the Turkish Statistical office (TurkStat).

According to the "Poverty Survey 2012" released by TurkStat on Friday, the percentage of poor in 2011 was 1.046.136 (0,14%) of total population, while it was reduced to 448.344 (0,06%) in 2012. A reduction of aproximately 600 thousand people (0,08%) based on the $2,15-a-day poverty lines.

Poverty rates are decreasing based on the poverty lines defined as dolar-a-day according to current purchasing power parities (PPPs)

Economic growth, social aids provided by state and the increase in national income are the basic factors which reduced the poverty.

Ozlem Sarica, the expert in TurkStat who is responsible from the survey gave information about calculation method by saying, "Poverty survey is conducted in throughout the year. The datas are analyzed and announced in three steps during the following year."

Sarica said, "In first nine months of the following year, the spending costs are calculated then the regional figures are announced in November of every year. Finally the national statistics of previous year are announced at the end of the year."

The survey reveals, percentage of poor in 2011 was 2,79% while it has been 2,27% in 2012 based on the $4,3-a-day poverty line in current PPPs.

Individuals who live in rural areas have greater poverty risk than who live in urban areas.

Percentage of poor in rural areas in 2011 was 6,83%, and 5,88% in 2012 based on the $4,3-a-day poverty line in current PPPs.

Percentage of poor in urban areas in 2011 is 0,94% while it is 0,60% in 2012 based on the $4,3-a-day poverty line in current PPPs.

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