Türkiye plans long-term care insurance as elderly population rises

Türkiye is preparing to introduce various measures into its social security system, including long-term care insurance, as the country’s elderly population continues to grow and demographic changes put pressure on the system’s financial balance.

The government plans to strengthen the long-term financial sustainability of the social security system by expanding the contribution base, improving collection and adapting the system to new forms of employment.

The measures will also take into account demographic trends and their impact on social security.

According to 2025 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), the population aged 65 and over has increased 20.5% over the past five years, reaching 9.58 million. The elderly population’s share of the total population has also risen to 11.1%, up from 9.5% in 2020.

People aged 65-74 account for 62.9% of the elderly population, while those aged 75-84 make up 27.9% and those aged 85 and over account for 7.8%. More than 8,000 people aged 100 and over live in Türkiye.

Long-term care insurance

Long-term care insurance has been included in the 2027-2029 Medium-Term Program (MTP), with the relevant ministries set to develop the infrastructure needed to implement the system.

The program aims to strengthen care support provided at home or in institutions for people who cannot independently perform daily activities due to old age or chronic illnesses.

Home health and palliative care services will be developed as continuous services, while an integrated structure incorporating remote health services is also planned.

The measures are expected to ease the growing care burden on families and the impact of the rising elderly dependency ratio.

The government also plans to strengthen the care economy while maintaining access to health services and improving the financial sustainability of the social security system.

Risk-based supervision models will be developed for health service reimbursements, while reimbursement criteria will be reviewed through data analysis and value-based reimbursement methods will be expanded.

The government also plans to strengthen the management model of university hospitals to improve efficiency and financial sustainability.

The new MTP also includes measures encouraging people to remain in employment longer while prioritizing fairness and actuarial balance.

The government plans to expand the social security system’s coverage and bring groups currently outside the system into it through measures targeting different occupational and income groups.

Legislation will be adapted to changing labor market conditions and new forms of flexible employment, while the monitoring and collection of outstanding premium debts will be strengthened.

The government also plans to upgrade institutional information systems, increase data sharing and regularly monitor indicators related to the social security system’s long-term financial sustainability.

DAILYSABAH