Retired Citizen in Kadıköy Struggles for Livelihood: Selling Books from Home

In the bustling Kadıköy district of Istanbul, 61-year-old retiree İlyas Atik faces a daily struggle for survival, resorting to selling books from his home. The rising cost of living in Turkey has placed immense pressure on his modest retirement income, forcing him into precarious street vending.

Atik explains that his retirement pension is inadequate to cover basic expenses, including his own health problems and the needs of his family. The economic hardship compels him to find alternative ways to generate income, turning his personal collection of books into a means of sustenance.

Despite the challenges, Atik continues his street sales in the Moda neighborhood. His situation highlights the broader economic difficulties faced by many retirees in Turkey, who find their pensions insufficient in the face of persistent inflation and increasing daily costs. His resilience underscores a difficult reality for many citizens trying to maintain dignity while navigating financial hardship.