Turkey Demographics 2026: Population, Ethnicity, Religion

✓ Last reviewed: May 2026 — Verified and updated by our licensed Turkey travel experts. Prices, opening hours and visa rules reflect the latest 2026 guidance. Quick Answer: Turkey is home to ~85 million people in 2026, a young, predominantly urban, and overwhelmingly Muslim population spread across 81 provinces. Istanbul alone exceeds 16 million. The largest ethnic minority are the Kurds (15–20%), with significant Arab , Laz , Circassian , and Roma communities. The median age is around 33, making Turkey one of the youngest large economies in the OECD. What is Turkey's Total Population in 2026? According to TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute) projections, Turkey's population stands at roughly 85.7 million in 2026, making it the 18th most populous country on Earth. Growth has slowed to ~0.7% per year as fertility fell below replacement (≈1.6 children per woman). The country remains young: median age ~33, far below Germany (~46) or Japan (~49). Plan your visit around our month-by-month guide . How Urbanized is Turkey? Over 93% of Turks now live in cities. Istanbul (16M+), Ankara (5.8M), İzmir (4.5M), Bursa , and Antalya form the urban backbone. Rural-to-urban migration since the 1980s reshaped Anatolia ; explore the old heartland on our Eastern Turkey Private Tour . Ethnic Composition Group Share Heartland Turks ~75% Nationwide Kurds ~18% Southeast Anatolia Arabs ~2% Hatay, Şanlıurfa, Mardin Laz, Circassian, Georgian ~2% Black Sea Roma, Armenians, Greeks, Jews ~1% Istanbul, Trakya For deep cultural context, see Karahantepe vs Göbekli Tepe . Religion Roughly 99% Muslim (majority Sunni Hanafi; ~15–25% Alevi). Christian ( Syriac , Armenian Apostolic , Greek Orthodox ) and Jewish communities are small but historically vital — concentrated in Istanbul , Mardin , and Hatay . Youth, Education and Workforce Around 23% of Turks are under 15. Literacy is ~97% and university enrollment has tripled since 2005. Istanbul is a hub for the digital nomad scene . Diaspora ~6.5 million