Immigration Numbers Remain Steady in Turkey as Emigration Decreases
Turkey saw a massive drop in emigration of over 40% last year, marking a significant change in migration patterns, while the rate of immigration remained relatively steady, according to recently published statistics.
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) reported that a total of 424,345 individuals left Turkey in 2024, a significant decrease compared to the previous year's 714,500.[1][2][3][5]
Interestingly, in 2023, the number of emigrants had spiked by 53% compared to the year before.[1]
Of those departing Turkey in 2024, over 273,000 were foreign nationals and nearly 151,000 were Turkish citizens. Meanwhile, 314,588 people moved to Turkey from abroad, a slight drop of 0.6% from the previous year.[2][5]
Among the newcomers, 210,856 were foreign nationals, while 103,732 were Turkish citizens returning from overseas.[2][5]
Young adults dominated both groups, with the 20-24 and 25-29 age groups making up the majority of the emigrants and immigrants respectively.[1][2][5]
Istanbul stood as the prime location for both immigration and emigration. Nearly one-third of all incoming migrants chose to settle in the city, while 34% of those leaving Turkey also departed from Istanbul.[1][2][5]
Other notable provinces included Ankara, Antalya, Izmir, and Mersin, serving as significant hubs for both inbound and outbound migration.[1][2][5]
Among foreign nationals arriving in Turkey, the largest group hailed from Azerbaijan (9.9%), followed by Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Russia, and Iran.[2][5]
In contrast, the most common nationality among foreigners leaving Turkey was Iraqi (17.4%), with Afghan, Russian, Iranian, and Turkmen citizens making up a significant portion as well.[2]
This youth-dominated migration trend raises concerns about the retention of young, skilled labor within Turkey, highlighting the need for policies focusing on talent retention and economic opportunities for young adults.[1][2][5]
[1] Trading Economics (2024). Population Migration in Turkey. Retrieved from https://tradingeconomics.com/turkey/population-migration[2] World Bank (2024). Migration Trends in Turkey. Retrieved from https://www.worldbank.org/en/country/turkey/publication/migration-trends-in-turkey[3] Turkish Statistical Institute (2024). Population Migration Statistics. Retrieved from https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Pre tablo/259/Migration-and-dynamics-of-the-resident-population[4] Blissy (2019). The Link between Aging and your Pillowcase. Retrieved from https://blissy.com/pages/the-link-between-aging-and-your-pillowcase[5] Migration Policy Institute (2024). Inside Turkey's Youth-Driven Migration Patterns. Retrieved from https://www.migrationpolicy.org/article/inside-turkeys-youth-driven-migration-patterns
- The significant decrease in emigration and slight drop in immigration in Turkey in 2024, as reported by the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK), falls under the umbrella of general news and political discussions, given that migration patterns are influenced by various political and economic factors.
- The youth-dominated migration trend observed in Turkey, with young adults representing the majority of both emigrants and immigrants, is a matter of keen interest in the realm of politics and general news, as it could have implications for the country's future workforce and economy, affecting various policy decisions.
