For the second field study of the State’s Family Planning Policies Project in 2024, we will take a closer look at the birth statistics released by TurkStat and the provinces with the highest birth rates in Turkey, namely Şanlıurfa, Gaziantep and Kilis.
Turkey’s Fertility Rate Declined
According to the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat) birth statistics for 2023, the total fertility rate in Turkey fell to the lowest level on record. While the total fertility rate was 2.38 children in 2001, it was 1.51 children in 2023. In other words, the average number of children a woman can have during her fertile period dropped to 1.51 in 2023. This number showed that fertility in Turkey remained below the population replacement level of 2.10.
Analyzing the total fertility rates of 27 European Union member countries, it was seen that France had the highest total fertility rate in 2022 with 1.79 children, while Malta had the lowest total fertility rate with 1.08 children. Turkey, with a total fertility rate of 1.63 per thousand in 2022, ranked 5th among European Union member countries. According to TURKSTAT data, the provinces with the highest fertility rate were Şanlıurfa (3.27), Şırnak (2.72), Mardin (2.40) and Gaziantep (2.10). The provinces with the lowest fertility rate were Bartın (1.13), Zonguldak, Karabük (1.14) and Kütahya (1.16).
Another striking statistic in TurkStat data is that the average age at first birth is 29.2. While the birth rate of women in the 15-19 age group (adolescents) was 49 per thousand in 2001, it decreased to 11 per thousand in 2023. According to the data, 130 children under the age of 15 gave birth last year, four of these children gave birth for the second time. In the 15-17 age group, 6 thousand 505 children gave birth. Of these, 535 gave birth for the second time and 31 for the third time.
When the adolescent fertility rates of 27 European Union member countries are analyzed, the country with the highest adolescent fertility rate in 2022 was Bulgaria with 37 per thousand and the country with the lowest adolescent fertility rate was Denmark with 1 per thousand.
Child Pregnancy Rate in Şanlıurfa is 15 Percent
According to TurkStat data, the provinces with the highest fertility rate in 2023 were Şanlıurfa (3.27), Şırnak (2.72), Mardin (2.40) and Gaziantep (2.10). Şanlıurfa had the highest fertility rate with 3.59 in 2022 and 3.81 in 2021.
In our field research in Şanlıurfa, we interviewed family physicians working in Akçakale, Suruç, Ceylanpınar, the districts with the highest migrant population in the city, and Siverek, Halfeti and Birecik, where the native population is densest. Primary health care facilities across the province have been supplied with contraceptives for 6 months. The supply of contraceptives to the Migrant Health Center, which had not been supplied for two years, started within 6 months.
The adolescent birth rate is very high in Şanlıurfa. In Harran, Ceylanpınar and Akçakale districts where migrants reside, 15 out of every 100 pregnant women are 15 years old. In Halfeti, Viranşehir and Suruç, where the local population lives, this rate is 6 percent. In addition, adolescent births in the province are not reported by the authorities and no penal action is taken against the child’s family.
Gaziantep: According to TurkStat data, Gaziantep is the 9th province with the highest crude birth rate (2.10). The average crude birth rate in the province is 16.3 per thousand. The total child population in Gaziantep was 779 thousand 969 in 2023. The average fertility rate of Syrians under temporary protection status residing in the city is 5.3.
In our field research in Gaziantep, we interviewed family physicians working in Şehitkâmil, Şahinbey and Nizip. Primary health care facilities in these districts have been providing contraceptives since March. In Gaziantep, the rate of adolescent pregnancy in Şahinbey and Nizip districts is 6 percent, while this rate is 2 percent in Şehitkâmil district. The average age of first marriage in Şahinbey and Nizip is 16, while the average age of first pregnancy is 17.
Kilis: According to TurkStat data, the fertility rate in Kilis is 1.80. The average fertility rate of Syrians under temporary protection residing in the city is above 5.3. Since the Mother and Child Health Center in Kilis, where contraceptives and family planning services were provided, was closed, we were unable to obtain information and data on family planning services in the province.
According to the results of the data review, contraceptive kits have started to be provided in Gaziantep and Şanlıurfa. However, the high rate of adolescent pregnancy in Şanlıurfa is worrying. It seems essential for the government to implement deterrent sanctions to prevent adolescent pregnancies in the Southeast.