People in Turkey classified as “in need of assistance” number more than 30 million, out of a population of 79 million, according to government figures. While the per capita income is decreasing, the government keeps pressing citizens to have at least three children, showing little regard for the financial strains of families. And more babies born into already struggling households means more people seeking state assistance to raise their offspring.

Child support assistance, paid on a monthly basis, amounts to 582 Turkish lira ($206) per family. In 2015, the families of 101,561 needy children received financial aid from the government, up from 19,735 in 2005. The staggering 400% increase reflects only the official statistics, with no figures available for those supported by nongovernmental organizations. Yet, highly influential charities close to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) are known to reach out to tens of thousands of poor families across Turkey.

The financial assistance bond between the AKP and the impoverished masses begins with the birth of children and continues into adulthood. The wide range of in-kind and financial benefits paid on a regular basis includes educational assistance, scholarships, food and clothing aid, coal for home heating, old-age assistance and so on. Up to 13 million people receive some kind of assistance from the state, including local administrations.

Under the three-way coalition government before the AKP, social benefits paid out to citizens totaled about 1.4 billion Turkish lira in 2002. The AKP, which came to power in November that year, saw a politically profitable gap in this realm and took action, handing out aid to millions, young and old alike. By 2014, funds allocated to social benefits shot up to 30.4 billion Turkish lira, while the AKP significantly boosted its popular support.