Turkey Population

Population Distribution

As of 2023, the latest population of Turkey is 82,017,514, based on our calculation of the current data from UN (United Nations).

People in Turkey

Turkey’s population has grown steadily over the past hundred years. Four years after the founding of the republic in 1923, the country had just 14 million residents, today it is over 83 million.

While on the one hand the population grew, numerous Turks also left the country. For example, some went to Germany to earn money as so-called guest workers. But many also had political reasons for leaving the country.

Minorities, including Kurds, Jews, Armenians and Alevites, fled from discrimination and political persecution. The fact that the population continued to grow is due to the simultaneous immigration from other countries, especially from the Balkans. The population in Turkey has grown steadily in the last few decades, but the proportion of different population groups has shrunk or increased differently.

Who Lives in Turkey?

Due to the inflow and outflow of different groups, there are many population groups and minorities in the country. However, the figures for the respective proportions differ greatly depending on the source. It is difficult to say how many people with what ethnicity actually live in Turkey.

70 to 81 percent are Turks. The Kurds make up the largest minority, around nine to 14 percent. You can find out more about the relationship between these two ethnic groups under “History and Politics” and “Everyday Life and Children”. Other minorities such as the Zaza, Circassians and Bosniaks make up two to four percent of the total Turkish population. In addition, there are Arabs, Albanians, Laden, Georgians, Arameans, Chechens and religious minorities such as Jewish population groups in Turkey.

Problems of Germans, Turks and who are the German-Turks?

Many people from Turkey went to Germany to work there, especially in the 60s and 70s of the last century. There were jobs in Germany and so they sometimes went alone, sometimes with their families, to find work. At the beginning, many – Germans and Turks – thought that the so-called “guest workers” would eventually go back. But things turned out differently, they found work and stayed and Germany also became their home. But they often learned the German language poorly and stayed among themselves. In return, in Germany, very little was done to make these people feel good, somehow the thought remained that they would go back to Turkey and so you don’t really have to worry.

There are now many people living here in Germany whose grandparents once came as so-called “guest workers”. But you were born here, your mother tongue is German and many actually only know Turkey from their holidays when relatives are visited. But even these people sometimes still feel strange. Not all, there are many whose home is Germany and who feel at home here and still appreciate their roots in Turkey. It is often said that some are “integrated” and the others are not.

There are also people who see their real home in Turkey and especially appreciate the Turkish President. This raises questions and creates conflict.

Languages in Turkey

The official language in Turkey is Turkish. The official name is “Turkic Turkish”. 80 out of 100 people in Turkey learn it from an early age, i.e. as their mother tongue. 10 to 15 out of 100 people learn Turkish as a second language. The mother tongue of these people is often Kurdish. There are also others Languages ​​spoken in the country, about 20 in total, including Zaza, Arabic, Azerbaijani and Bulgarian.

How does Turkish sound?

Özgür comes from Turkey. He’s telling you a Turkish tongue twister here. He says in Turkish:

“Merhaba, ben Istanbul’dan Özgür. Size bir tekerleme söyleyeceğzim:
Kartal kalkar dal tartar, dal tartar kartal kalkar.”

Translated this means: “Hello, I’m Özgür from Istanbul. I have a tongue twister for you:
‘The eagle rises, the branch sways. The branch sways, the eagle rises.'”

Religions in Turkey

By far the most strongly represented religion in Turkey is Islam. Official data say that out of 100 people 99 are of Islamic faith. Within Islam, the largest group is that of the Sunnis at around 82 percent. There are also around 16 percent Alevis and one to two percent Alawites (be careful, that’s a difference!) Among the Muslims in Turkey.

Some people in Turkey are of Christian faith, it is estimated between one and two in 100 people. There are also people of the Jewish religion and Yazidis. The large proportion of Muslims is primarily due to historical reasons, you can read more about this under “History”. But some also assume that there are actually fewer Muslims than the state indicates, because anyone who does not indicate a religion in a census is automatically counted as a Muslim. Turkey has been a so-called secular state since 1928, so religion and state are separate.

Turkey Overview

Turkey, straddling Eastern Europe and Western Asia, is famous for its rich history, diverse culture, and stunning landmarks. From the majestic Hagia Sophia and the ancient ruins of Ephesus to the fairy chimneys of Cappadocia and the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean coast, Turkey offers visitors a captivating mix of historical sites and natural beauty. The country’s vibrant bazaars, delicious cuisine, and warm hospitality add to its allure, while Istanbul, with its iconic skyline and bustling streets, serves as a bridge between continents, embodying Turkey’s unique blend of East and West.

• Capital City: Ankara
• Population: Approximately 84 million
• Area: 783,356 square kilometers
• Full Country Name: Republic of Turkey
• Currency: Turkish lira (TRY)
• Language: Turkish
• ISO Country Codes: ISO 3166-1 alpha-2: TR, ISO 3166-1 alpha-3: TUR

Bordering Countries of Turkey

Turkey is a Eurasian country located in the Middle East and bordered by eight other countries. To the north lies Bulgaria and Greece, two of Turkey’s closest European neighbours. Further east is Georgia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, while the Black Sea lies to the north-east. To the south-east lies Syria and Iraq, while to the south is Iran. Finally, to the west lies the Mediterranean Sea which separates Turkey from Europe.

Turkey has a long history of trade with its bordering countries which dates back to ancient times when it was part of the Ottoman Empire. This has led to strong cultural ties between Turkey and its neighbours as well as strong political cooperation in recent years. In addition, Turkey also has strong economic ties with its bordering countries due to its strategic location at Europe’s gateway to Asia and Middle East markets.

The relationship between Turkey and its neighbours is complex but largely peaceful despite occasional disputes over matters such as water resources or border issues. In recent years there have been efforts by both sides to improve relations as well as increased trade between them for mutual benefit. For example, Turkey has signed several free trade agreements with neighbouring countries that have helped boost economic growth in both nations. Furthermore, there have been efforts by all sides to promote regional stability through joint military exercises or peacekeeping operations in conflict zones such as Syria or Iraq.