14.4% of the Population Below the Poverty Line

The Statistical Institute collected information about the consumption patterns and income levels of individuals and households in the country by conducting the Household Budget Survey from July 1, 2021, to June 30, 2022.

In terms of income distribution, the highest 20% of households receive 43.6% of the total income, while the lowest 20% of households receive 6.5%. The "inequality measure" that compares the share of the highest-income 20% to the lowest-income 20% is recorded as 6.7 times.

Comparing the results of the 2014-2015 HBS with the 2021-2022 HBS, it is indicated that "inequality has increased." The "Gini coefficient," one of the measures of income distribution inequality, was 0.34 in the 2014-2015 survey, but it increased to 0.37 in the 2021-2022 survey.

The survey results reveal that housing, water, electricity, gas, and other fuel expenses account for the highest share of total consumption expenditure at 21.6%. This is followed by food and non-alcoholic beverages at 20.5% and transportation at 18.5%, while the share of education services expenses is 6.1%.

In the country, there has been an increase in the share of expenditure on food and a decrease in the share of expenditure on education, entertainment, and culture, as compared to the years 2014-2015.

The share of food expenditure (excluding alcoholic beverages and tobacco) increased from 16% in 2014-2015 to 20.5% in 2021-2022, while the share of education expenses decreased from 7.1% to 6.1%, the share of entertainment and culture expenses decreased from 8.9% to 2.6%, and the share of housing expenses decreased from 25.1% to 21.6.