Turkey Demographics 2026: Population & 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 roughly 85.7 million people in 2026 with a median age near 34. The population is predominantly ethnic Turkish (~75%) with the largest minority being Kurdish (~18%), plus Arab, Laz, Circassian, Armenian, Greek, and Jewish communities. About 99% identify as Muslim (mostly Sunni, with a sizable Alevi minority), though the country is constitutionally secular. 77% live in urban areas — Istanbul alone hosts ~16M. What is Turkey's Total Population in 2026? According to TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute), the population sits near 85.7 million , making Turkey the 18th most populous country and the second largest in NATO after the United States. Growth has slowed to about 0.7% per year and the fertility rate has dropped below the 2.1 replacement level. See our Ultimate Turkey Travel Guide 2026 for context. This translates into a younger population than the EU average, fueling consumer markets, tech adoption, and a vibrant tourism workforce — visible everywhere from Istanbul rooftop bars to Cappadocia balloon teams. What is the Ethnic Composition of Turkey? Turkey has never run an official ethnicity census since 1965, so figures are estimates. The breakdown is roughly: Turks ~75% , Kurds ~18% , with the remainder including Arabs (especially in Hatay, Şanlıurfa, Mardin), Laz and Hemshin in the Black Sea, Circassians , Bosniaks , Albanians , Roma , Armenians , Greeks , and Jews . To experience this mix firsthand, our Eastern Turkey Private Tour covers the Kurdish and Arab heartlands. What Religions are Practiced in Turkey? About 99% of citizens are Muslim , the majority Sunni Hanafi , with an estimated 15–25% Alevi community whose practice blends Shia, Sufi, and Anatolian folk traditions. Christianity is represented by Greek Orthodox , Armenian Apostolic , and Syriac communities — visit th