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Türkiye recorded an annual inflation rate of 33.29% in September, more than fifteen times the European Union (EU) average of 2.2%, according to an analysis released by the Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions Research Center (DISK-AR) using official data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat).
The report underscored that Türkiye has the highest inflation rate in Europe, both in general consumer prices and in food categories, with prices of food and non-alcoholic beverages in the country rising by 36.06% year-on-year, compared with the EU average of just 3%.
In September, consumer prices rose 3.23% from the previous month. The largest monthly increase was seen in food and non-alcoholic beverages, where prices surged by 8.6%. Housing-related expenses, transport, and clothing also recorded notable monthly increases, further straining household budgets.
TurkStat also reported that the twelve-month average price increase reached 38.36%.
The steepest year-on-year rise was observed in education costs, which climbed by 66.10%. Other categories, such as health, restaurants, and hotels, also experienced double-digit annual growth, reflecting the broad-based nature of the price surge.
DISK-AR emphasized that the erosion of purchasing power has been severe. By the ninth month of 2025, the real value of the minimum wage had fallen by ₺5,621 when adjusted for inflation. The report further noted that, since 2003, overall consumer prices in Türkiye have increased 33.7 times, while food prices have risen even more sharply, multiplying by 47 times.
While inflation across EU member states has been relatively contained, Türkiye’s levels remain elevated, the report added. The analysis highlighted that the Turkish economy continues to diverge from the European average, both in terms of headline inflation and sector-specific categories such as food, which directly affects low- and middle-income households.
The report noted that official figures underline how inflation remains a structural challenge for Türkiye, deeply affecting daily life and purchasing power. According to DISK-AR, the persistent gap with Europe reinforces concerns over the country’s price stability, particularly given the cumulative effect on wages and household living standards.
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