Young people fleeing Turkey

With the number of emigrants from Turkey in 2017 increasing by 42.5% compared to the previous year to 253,640, at 26.6%, Iraqi citizens were most numerous among the foreign national population that came to Turkey in 2017.

The Turkish Statistical Institute has announced the 2017 International Migration Statistics. In the statistics compiled on the basis of data in Address Based Civil Registration System and the data base of Republic of Turkey citizens abroad, the number emigrants from Turkey in 2017 rose by 42.5% over the previous year to 253,640.

Looking at the age groups of emigrants from Turkey, it is notable that most emigrants, at 15.5%, are in the 25-29 age group. Of this group, 54% were male while 46% were female. As to the number of immigrants to Turkey, this increased by 22.4% as against the previous year to 466,333, and among immigrants to Turkey preponderance in the 25-29 age group was once more evident at 12.3%. Of this group, 52.3% were male while 47.7% were female.

Turkey attracts most immigration from Iraq

In the statistical study that did not include foreigners present in Turkey originating from Syria and having temporary protected status, at 26.6%, Iraqi citizens were most numerous among foreign nationals who came to Turkey in 2017. With Afghanistan taking second place at 10.4%, Syria was third with 7.7%. Syria was followed by Azerbaijan at 5.7% and Turkmenistan at 5.6%. First place among foreign nationals emigrating from Turkey was also held by Iraq at 20.4%. Iraq was followed in order by Azerbaijan at 7.5%, Syria at 6.7%, Afghanistan at 6% and China at 4.5%. The Turkish Statistical Institute stated in its remarks that in drawing up the statistics those in Turkey having at least a three-month residence/work permit, a document equivalent to a residence permit document or international protected status along with people who have been permitted to renounce Republic of Turkey citizenship and who reside in Turkey were counted among the foreign national population

 Istanbul ranked first

 The Turkish Statistical Institute, which examined the distribution by province of migrants in 2017, noted that Istanbul attracted the most immigration with 166,044 people, followed in order by Ankara with 46,475 people, Antalya with 21,888, Izmir with 12,031 and Bursa with 11,191. When emigrants from Turkey are similarly examined according to their distribution by province, Istanbul, with 75,849, stands out as the province that supplied the most emigrants. Istanbul was followed in order by the provinces of Ankara with 27,379 people, Antalya with 15,056, Bursa with 13,946 and Izmir with 10,353.