Erdoğan: Payment to village and neighborhood heads topped 28,000 lira in 2026

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the payment made to muhtars—village and neighborhood heads—was 97 lira in 2002. He said that, as of 2026, the amount had been raised to more than 28,000 lira.

The figures Erdoğan gave describe an increase from 97 lira in 2002 to above 28,000 lira in 2026. His statement did not provide another figure or additional details about the payment or the increase.

Erdoğan also said the state has covered muhtars’ Social Security Institution (SGK) premiums since 2017. His remarks therefore addressed two separate points: the payment made to muhtars and the state’s coverage of their social security premiums over the period beginning in 2017.