Türkiye: immigration

How many people move to Turkey each year?

393,829 people immigrated to Turkey in 2025, 25.2% more than in 2024, according to TurkStat. 301,877 were foreign nationals and 91,952 Turkish citizens. 56.6% were men. Istanbul received 42.2% of immigrants, followed by Antalya (9.1%) and Ankara (6.7%).

The figures come from the Address Registration System run by the Ministry of the Interior. More people left than arrived: 403,216 emigrated in 2025, so net migration was negative.

Official sources: TurkStat: International Migration Statistics, 2025

How many people leave Turkey each year?

403,216 people emigrated from Turkey in 2025, 5% fewer than in 2024, according to TurkStat. 155,119 were Turkish citizens and 248,097 foreign nationals. 14.3% of emigrants were aged 25 to 29. Istanbul accounted for 35.4% of emigrants, followed by Ankara (8.7%) and Antalya (6.5%).

Among foreign emigrants, Iraqis were the largest group (15.7%), followed by Afghans (11.2%) and Russians (7.6%). The figures are based on address registrations.

Official sources: TurkStat: International Migration Statistics, 2025

How many foreigners live in Turkey?

1,519,515 foreign nationals were registered as living in Turkey on 31 December 2025, 38,968 more than a year earlier, according to TurkStat's Address Based Population Registration System. 49.3% were men and 50.7% women. Turkey's total population was 86,092,168.

The count covers people with valid residence or work permits, or with an address declaration and an equivalent document such as an international protection identity card. Residence permits and protection status are handled by the Presidency of Migration Management.

Official sources: TurkStat: Address Based Population Registration System, 2025 · Presidency of Migration Management

Where do immigrants to Turkey come from?

Citizens of Turkmenistan made up 23.4% of foreign immigrants to Turkey in 2025, the largest group, according to TurkStat. They were followed by citizens of Azerbaijan (8.3%), Uzbekistan (6.9%), Egypt (6.1%) and Afghanistan (5.8%). 301,877 foreign nationals immigrated in all.

The figures count people registering a new address in Turkey. The largest age groups among immigrants were 20 to 24 (16.3%) and 25 to 29 (13.7%).

Official sources: TurkStat: International Migration Statistics, 2025

How many Turkish graduates move abroad?

2.0% of higher education graduates in Turkey moved abroad in 2024, the same rate as in 2023, according to TurkStat's Higher Education Brain Drain Statistics. The rate was 2.4% for men and 1.6% for women. It was 1.7% for public university graduates and 4.3% for private university graduates, rising to 8.3% for those with full scholarships.

Information and communication technology graduates had the highest rate (6.7%), followed by engineering, manufacturing and construction (4.4%). By programme, molecular biology and genetics was highest at 15.0%.

Official sources: TurkStat: Higher Education Brain Drain Statistics, 2024

What share of Türkiye's population are immigrants?

8.1%: that is the share of people born abroad in Türkiye for 2024, according to the UN Population Division. In 2015 the figure was 4.7%. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.7%, and Türkiye placed 36th highest of 52. Worldwide: 73rd of 193.

Are more people leaving Türkiye than arriving?

-258,205: that is net migration in Türkiye for 2025, according to the UN Population Division. Since 2005 it has ranged from -318,070 (2023) to 1.06 million (2015). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 158, and Türkiye placed 50th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2025 data, 185th highest.

How many refugees live in Türkiye?

UNHCR puts the number of refugees in the country in Türkiye at 2.39 million in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2021, at 3.76 million; its low point was 2005, at 2,395. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 62,365, and Türkiye placed 2nd highest of 50. World rank, highest first: 2nd of 169.

How many people from Türkiye are refugees?

149,405: that is the number of refugees from the country living abroad in Türkiye for 2025, according to UNHCR. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 227,236; its low point was 2016, at 57,915. Europe & Central Asia median: 533; Türkiye is 2nd highest of 49. Worldwide: 22nd of 189.

How much are remittances to Türkiye?

0.0% of GDP: that is personal remittances received in Türkiye for 2025, according to the World Bank. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 1.4% of GDP; Türkiye is 47th highest of 47. Worldwide: 119th of 127.