Türkiye completes major recovery effort 3 years after devastating 2023 earthquakes: $104 billion in direct economic losses and another $150 billion in indirect damage

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said the powerful earthquakes that hit southern and eastern Türkiye on February 6, 2023, caused an estimated $104 billion in direct economic losses and another $150 billion in indirect damage, describing them as one of the worst disasters in the country’s history.

He said the country overcame the tragedy through strong unity between the state and the public, stressing that Türkiye had once again demonstrated its strength to the world.” Erdoğan dismissed criticism of the government’s handling of the crisis, arguing that authorities refused to be distracted by what he called “toxic politics” meant to undermine their resolve. He added that the affected cities were rebuilt and brought back to life within three years.

Data from Türkiye’s Strategy and Budget Office (SBB) shows that 3.6 trillion Turkish liras—about $91.5 billion—has been spent on recovery efforts over the past three years, with reconstruction focused mainly on Kahramanmaraş and Hatay. Housing was treated as a top priority, with more than 433,000 homes and nearly 22,000 workplaces distributed through lotteries, and permanent housing projects now completed.

Additional funding was directed toward education, healthcare, infrastructure, energy, transportation, and employment support across 11 provinces. The SBB said the recovery process is largely finished after sustained and long-term efforts, noting major improvements in public services, economic activity, and social life in the regions affected by the earthquakes.