Social Policy In Turkey

Demographics Population: 77,804,122 (2010) Age structure: years: 26.6% (10,707,793/ Male and 10,226,999/Female) years: 67.1% (male 26,741,332/female 26,162,757) -65 years and over: 6.3% (male 2,259,422/female 2,687,245) Population growth rate: 1.235% (2011 est.) YearPopulation growth rate RankPercent Change Date of Information est %2009 est %2010 est %2011 est.

Birth rate: births/1,000 population (2011 est.) Death rate: -6.1 deaths/1,000 population (July 2011 est.) Mortality rate -Total: deaths/1,000 live births -Male: 25 deaths/1,000 live births -Female: deaths/1,000 live births (2011 est.) Life expectancy at birth: -Total Population: 72.5 years -Male: years -Female: years (2011 est.) Ethnic groups -Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)

Religions -Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians, Jews) Urban population: -70% of total population (2010) Net migration rate: migrant(s)/1,000 population (2011 est.) Literacy -Total population: 87.4% -Male: 95.3% -Female: 79.6% (2004 est.)

GDP GDP (purchasing power parity):GDP (purchasing power parity) $958.3 billion (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 1717 $893.1 billion (2009 est.) $937.1 billion (2008 est.) GDP - per capita (PPP):GDP - per capita (PPP) $12,300 (2010 est.) country comparison to the world: 9494 GDP - composition by sector:GDP - composition by sector agriculture: 8.8% industry: 25.7% services: 65.5% (2010 est.) Labor force:Labor force million country comparison to the world: 2424 Unemployment rate:Unemployment rate 12.4% (2010 est.)

Social Security The social security system in Turkey is composed of three different major organizations; Social Insurance Institution (SSK) Pension Fund for Civil Servants (Emekli Sandığı) Social Security Institution for the Self-employed (Bağ-Kur) Social Security Schemes –Old Age, –Invalidity, –Survivorship, –Work Accident and occupational diseases, –Health Care, –Unemployment (Executed by Iskur), –Non-contributory payments

Premium Rates INSURANCE BRANCHES EmployedEmployerTOTALGovernment Invalidity, old age, survivorship 9%11%20% Gov. Contribution in the amount of 1/4* Total contributions actually collected annually. Short Term Insurance Branches (employment injuries, occupational diseases, sickness, maternity) -1% -6,5 % Universal Health Insurance5%7,50%12,50% Unemployment1%2%3%1% TOTAL14% %19,5 - %2533,5% - 39%

Old Age ScopeEmployed, self employed, civil servants ConditionsAge : 65 (gradually increasing from 58 for woman and 60 for man as of 2036)‏ Contribution period : contributory period of 9000 days for civil servants and self employed; 7200 days for workers BenefitsOld age pension, lump sum payment

Special conditions for entitlement to old age pension (I) Workers who had already lost 60% of their working capacity before they started working (who were invalid at the date they began working) are entitled to receive old age pension if they have completed 15 years of insured work and payed invalidity, old age and survivors insurance premiums for 3960 days. 50 % to 59 % of their working capacity before they started working (who were invalid at the date they began working) are entitled to receive old age pension if they have completed 16 years of insured work and payed invalidity, old age and survivors insurance premiums for 4320 days. 40% to 49% of their working capacity before they started working (who were invalid at the date they began working) are entitled to receive old age pension if they have completed 18 years of insured work and payed invalidity, old age and survivors insurance premiums for 4680 days.

Special conditions for entitlement to old age pension (II) The age limit for mine workers, working regularly or alternately in mines registered by the Ministry for minimum 20 years, is 55 years of age. Mine workers must complete minimum 7200 premium days. Those who have completed 55 years of age and are medically determined to be permaturely aged are entitled to receive old age pension in case they fulfill the other requirements. Total working periods of female workers who have a disabled child are increased by 0,25. Also, this period is deducted from the age limit.

Invalidity ScopeEmployed, self employed, civil servants Conditions minimum 60% loss of working capacity or earning capacity after entry into the insurance system. Contribution period: Minimum 10 years of insured employment and 1800 premimum days. 10 years of insured employment is not sought for those who need constant care by others. For the self employed, no premium debts including UHI premiums BenefitsInvalidity pension

Survivorship Personal ScopeTurkish citizens residing in Turkey, Persons employed in Turkey and transferred to abroad for business and their dependants, Refugees and stateless persons, Foreigners residing in Turkey and not covered by insurance according to the Legislation of another country ConditionsContribution: Minimum 30 contributory period of days the scheme in preceding year and not having contribution related dept to the Institution in preceding 60 days Exemptions From Conditions: Children under 18 Delivery of urgent health services Treatment of communicable diseases Work Accidents and occupational diseases Protective health services to prevent addiction to harmful substances (such as smoking etc.) Maternity The persons in the need of medical care from another person In case of disaster, war and lock – out

Unemployment benefits in Turkey Legally employed workers are eligible for unemployment benefits in Turkey. These include foreign workers, so long as they have been working and living in Turkey legally and are at least 18 years old. Contributions to unemployment funds are 1 % of employees´ earnings and 2 % of their employers´ payrolls. A worker is eligible to receive benefits after 600 days of contributions in the preceding 3 years of employment. The minimum benefit payment is 50 % of a worker´s average daily earnings (calculated from the 4 months prior to unemployment), and cannot be higher than minimum wage for that worker´s industry. Benefits may be paid for up to 1,080 days, depending on the unemployed person´s number of contributions.

Disability benefits Turkish social security provides for both temporary and permanent disability benefits for those who are injured at work. This coverage extends to all full-time employees, and does not require a minimum qualifying period. Contributions to the system are paid entirely by employers, who pay between 1.5 % and 7 % of the value of their payrolls. Exact contributions are based on the risk of injury – corporate firms contribute less than industrial contractors. Temporary benefits are paid in the amount of either 2/3 or ½ (if hospitalization was required) of an employee´s daily earnings. Permanent disability benefits are calculated from the estimated “loss of working capacity“ (this is determined by the Social Insurance Institution based on the injury). For partial disability, if this “loss of working capacity“ is between 10 and 25 %, benefits may be paid as a lump sum. Survivors of workers killed on the job are awarded a pension roughly 35 % of the deceased employee´s minimum monthly earnings, in addition to a lump sum to cover funeral costs. Eligible survivors include: a spouse, children under 18 (20 if in pre-university, 25 if in university), a disabled son older than 18, an unmarried (divorced, widowed etc.) daughter of any age who is not receiving social security benefits of her own, and dependent parents.

Maternity benefits Pregnant women are eligible to receive 2/3 of their average daily earnings for 8 weeks preceding and following childbirth. In addition, they are eligible for lump-sum pregnancy, childbirth and nursing benefits.