You probably know someone who has gone for plastic surgery in Turkey, it is becoming a popular destination for many people when choosing to have surgery abroad. When doing the research you have most likely found raving reviews and the possibility of surgery abroad isn’t as daunting as you had previously thought. But then you discover the price and the doubt begins to creep in. Why is surgery so cheap in Turkey? This is a normal question to ask, as this is the way we measure the value of the items we purchase. However, what most patients fail to acknowledge are the differences in global economics, and that the costs when compared to those in the UK or US is all a matter of perspective. Whether you are reading this to discover more about the contrasts in economies or are just here to stop those nagging doubts, you have come to the right place.
Perspective…
It is a common error among many people that they do not consider the cost of living in Turkey when comparing surgery prices. For patients in countries such as the UK, Ireland or the USA earning their money in Pounds, Euros or Dollars, Turkey is much cheaper. However the average wage in Turkey is nowhere near the same amount.
- Accommodation – The average salary in Turkey is 4000 Turkish Liras, and the rent ranges between 1500-3000 TL. With lower wages and the cost of rent taking approximately 50% of their wages, saving is almost impossible.
- Transportation and food – The average public transport fee is 5 TL. On average monthly the cost is 600 TL An average lunch is 32 TL, and we haven’t even started talking about bills, entertainment fees and housing materials.
When taking this into account, the cost of surgery in Turkey for the locals is anything but cheap. To compare, the average salary in the UK is 2,800 GBP which works out at 32,700 TL monthly.
Locally produced…
Turkey supports the domestic manufacturing of products over importing – they prefer to use products made in Turkey rather than purchasing them from other countries. They discourage consumers from purchasing foreign products by selling them at a much higher price than their Turkish counterparts.This creates more business for Turkish companies, meaning they can afford to produce these products at a cheaper price, and it also eliminates the need for shipping, logistics and customs charges.
In Summary…
In a nutshell, the answer to why surgery is cheaper in Turkey is all due to the Turkish economy and nothing to do with the quality of materials or service. The price may seem cheap to you as a tourist converting your money from Pounds, Euros or Dollars. But when the prices are compared to the cost of living in Turkey, the average cost of surgery is out of reach for the majority of the public. And as Turkey locally manufactures its equipment, this prevents additional spending such as customs and shipping costs.
Why is it so cheap? Because you come from abroad.