Poverty line for a family of four in Northern Cyprus rises to TL 256,567

The Turkish Cypriot Public Servants’ Trade Union (KTAMS) has published its calculations of the hunger and poverty lines in Northern Cyprus as of 31 August 2026. For a family of four, the hunger line stood at TL 47,568 per month, while the poverty line was TL 256,567.

The hunger line is the amount needed only to provide a family with adequate food. The poverty line includes the full basket of expenses: food, housing, utilities, transport, education, healthcare, culture and leisure.

The calculation is based on the nutritional standards of the hospital services department of the Ministry of Health of the TRNC and average prices from the Statistical Institute. The union estimated monthly food expenses as follows: an adult woman — TL 12,569, an adult man — TL 12,860, a teenager aged 13–18 — TL 13,013, and a child aged 8–12 — TL 9,126.

KTAMS Chairman Güven Bengihan said that the consumer price index basket on which such calculations are based is outdated, as its base year remains 2015. “The calculation has been based on the same data for ten years,” he said, calling for the basket to be updated so that it reflects the current structure of spending.

According to Bengihan, the government’s economic policy is deepening poverty, while families living on the minimum wage have found themselves in a difficult situation.