STORY: Türkiye's high cost of living impacts young people's life
SHOOTING TIME: Aug. 22, 2024
DATELINE: Aug. 23, 2024
LENGTH: 00:01:54
LOCATION: Ankara
CATEGORY: ECONOMY

SHOTLIST:
1. various of people walking on the street and buying stuff in Türkiye
2. SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BEDIRHAN CUFADAR, First-year university student in Ankara
3. SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ARDA ASRAKCI, High school graduate
4. SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): ZEYNEP OKTEM, Bank employee

STORYLINE:

Young people in Türkiye have expressed the acute pressure of rising education and food costs amid the runaway inflation.

The nation is facing unprecedented economic difficulties, with an annual inflation rate of over 60 percent, one of the highest in the world, down from 75 percent a few months ago.

This has led to increased unemployment among young people, who are struggling with the financial burden on their families.

SOUNDBITE 1 (Turkish): BEDIRHAN CUFADAR, First-year university student in Ankara
"I just went to buy some textbooks, I needed three but managed to buy only one because I didn't have enough money. I paid 400 liras (11.8 U.S. dollars) for this textbook and I'm left with 20 liras (60 cents) in my pocket. What can I eat with this, I'm planning to get into a diet because I don't have any money. Textbooks and food are very expensive and so is public transport. I'm worried I may be unemployed in the future."

SOUNDBITE 2 (Turkish): ARDA ASRAKCI, High school graduate
"The high cost of living is a burden for us because we need to prepare for the future but lack the means to do so. Our families struggle to make ends meet and do not have the finances to support all our needs. I cannot make plans for the future because the situation is unpredictable. I plan to complete my higher studies and become someone valuable to my country. I come from a middle-class family but we still struggle."

SOUNDBITE 3 (Turkish): ZEYNEP OKTEM, Bank employee
"Naturally, the high cost of living has a significant impact on young people. It restricts our ability to socialize, dine out, or travel, greatly affecting our lives."

Xinhua News Agency correspondents reporting from Ankara.
(XHTV)