# Turkey's gold habit has a cost

> Many Turks save in gold to outrun inflation, but that safety habit may be holding the country back.
- Title: Turkey's gold habit has a cost · NPR | Shortify
- Summary: Many Turks save in gold to outrun inflation, but that safety habit may be holding the country back. Gold can protect families from inflation, but hoarding it…
- Keywords: turkey, gold, inflation, savings, economy, news, Turkey's, habit, cost, NPR
- Source: NPR — https://npr.org/2026/09/15/nx-s1-5949212/turks-often-keep-gold-as-a-hedge-against-inflation-it-may-be-hurting-turkeys-future
- Published: 2026-09-15T00:00:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: turkey, gold, inflation, savings, economy, news
## Gold feels safer
Many Turks keep gold because inflation has made the lira feel risky. For households, it is a familiar way to protect value.

> Turks often hold onto gold as a hedge against inflation.
## Inflation drives the habit
When prices keep rising, cash loses trust. Gold becomes a private shield against a currency people fear may weaken again.
## Savings leave banks
Gold kept at home or outside formal accounts does not easily turn into loans, investment, or business funding.
## Security has a tradeoff
What helps one family feel protected can make the wider economy less flexible. Idle gold does little for future growth.

> It may be hurting Turkey’s financial future
## Turkey faces a choice
The hard part is rebuilding trust so people feel safe saving in money, not just metal. Without that, gold keeps winning.
## Key takeaway

Gold can protect families from inflation, but hoarding it can keep savings outside the financial system Turkey needs to grow.