Türkiye's Hidden Crisis of Well-Being

What does it look like to flourish in Türkiye? Researchers surveyed 1,473 adults across the country, asking about 69 different aspects of life — from happiness and health to relationships, religion, and financial security. They then compared Türkiye's results to the combined averages of all 22 countries in the Global Flourishing Study.

While some groups are thriving, a generation of young people feels disconnected, anxious, and increasingly hopeless.

The picture that emerged is complex and, in many ways, troubling. Türkiye ranked at the very bottom among all 22 countries for happiness, life satisfaction, peace, and forgiveness, and had the highest scores for suffering. Loneliness was also strikingly high — surprising for a culture that deeply values family and togetherness. Within the country, certain groups stood out as particularly vulnerable.

Young adults aged 18 to 24 reported the lowest scores on optimism, freedom, belonging, and government approval, while also having the highest anxiety and loneliness. Ethnic minorities, especially Kurdish people, reported lower wellbeing across nearly every measure compared to their Turkish counterparts. On the brighter side, adults aged 50 and older and those who attended religious services frequently tended to report higher wellbeing, including greater happiness, meaning, and social connection. Women reported more optimism and richer private religious lives, though their participation in public life — like employment and community activities — was lower. People with the most education enjoyed better personal health and life balance, but were the least satisfied with the country's social and political direction.

These patterns paint a portrait of a nation where wellbeing is deeply uneven, shaped by age, ethnicity, education, and gender.