KTAMS: Poverty threshold for a family of four was TL 260,177 in October

According to the calculations of the Turkish Cypriot Public Servants’ Trade Union (KTAMS), the monthly poverty threshold for a family of four stood at TL 260,177 as of 31 October. The food poverty threshold, representing the essential food expenditure needed for a healthy diet for the same family, was set at TL 48,236.84.

The union’s breakdown of expenditure highlighted food and non-alcoholic beverages, transport and housing costs. In the poverty-threshold calculation, TL 48,237 a month was allocated to food and non-alcoholic beverages, and TL 41,212 to transport. The amount envisaged for housing, water, electricity, gas and other fuels was TL 38,012.

Calculation based on dietary requirements and average prices

In a written statement, KTAMS President Serman Yiğit also shared the basis for the calculation. According to Yiğit, it was based on the healthy diet plan for a family of four drawn up by the Department of Inpatient Institutions under the Ministry of Health, together with average prices provided to the union by the Statistical Institute.

Monthly essential food expenditure was calculated at TL 12,767.43 for an adult woman and TL 13,065.01 for an adult man. For children, the amount was TL 13,214.02 for the 13–18 age group and TL 9,190.38 for the 8–12 age group.

Education, health and communication costs

Other items in the poverty-threshold calculation included TL 21,204 for education services, TL 11,500 for communication and TL 9,991 for health. Leisure and culture expenses were listed at TL 27,032, while TL 18,264 was allocated to restaurants, food services and hotels.

In his statement, Yiğit also drew attention to the living conditions of households reliant on the minimum wage. He argued that government policies were deepening poverty and making it harder to attain contemporary living standards.