2.2 million people have migrated from Istanbul in the last 5 years

According to official data, 2.2 million people have migrated from Istanbul to other cities in the last 5 years. One of the biggest reasons for migration has been 'better housing and living conditions.'

With inflation reaching its highest level in the last 20 years, the cost of living has reached a critical point. Istanbul is among the cities where rental prices have increased the most. The number of foreign nationals residing in the city is also increasing rapidly. As of the beginning of October, 576 thousand foreigners are living in Istanbul with residence permits. On the other hand, Istanbul continues to receive migration; however, the number of people leaving is higher than those arriving.

Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) data shows the number of people migrating to and from Istanbul along with their reasons. Accordingly, in the last 5 years covering 2018-2022, 2 million 182 thousand people migrated from Istanbul. In 2018, this number was 596 thousand. The number of people leaving Istanbul, which fell to 378 thousand in 2019, started to increase gradually again and exceeded 418 thousand in 2022.

WHY ARE THEY LEAVING ISTANBUL?

So, why are people leaving Istanbul? Looking at the last 5 years, the biggest reason every year is “migration dependent on a member of the household/family.” In 2022, 95 thousand people left Istanbul for this reason. This corresponds to 22.8 percent of the reasons. In fact, this option is not a personal choice of the individuals; it is based on family status.

Apart from this, the biggest reason is “better housing and living conditions” with 22.1 percent. In 2022, more than 92 thousand people left Istanbul for this reason. 26 thousand people also migrated from Istanbul because they bought a house.

According to TÜİK data, 462 thousand people have left Istanbul in the last 5 years due to better housing and living conditions.

The “unknown” rate among the reasons is also quite high. This situation actually indicates that the rate of those migrating due to better living conditions may be higher.

NET MIGRATION IS MINUS 199 THOUSAND IN 5 YEARS

Cities both receive and give migration. The difference between the two is called net migration. If net migration is greater than zero, it shows that more people have come to the city than have left. If net migration is negative, it means the number of people migrating from the city is higher.

Migration to Istanbul does not stop either. Hundreds of thousands of people continue to migrate to Istanbul every year.

In the last 5 years between 2018-2022, a total of 1 million 983 thousand people migrated to Istanbul.

The net migration number in Istanbul in the last 5 years was 199 thousand.

While the net migration number was positive in 2019, it remained negative in all other years. In other words, the number of people leaving was higher than those arriving.

In 2022, the city with the highest negative migration was Istanbul with 33 thousand.

HOW MANY SYRIANS AND FOREIGN NATIONALS LIVE IN ISTANBUL?

According to the data of the Presidency of Migration Management dated October 12, 2023, the number of Syrians under temporary protection in Istanbul is 532 thousand. Istanbul's population, including Syrians, is 16 million 440 thousand. This shows that 32 out of every thousand people living in the city are Syrian.

Again, according to the data of the Presidency of Migration Management, 576 thousand people are in Istanbul with residence permits. This does not include Syrians under temporary protection. In this case, it means that 6-7 out of every 100 people living in Istanbul are foreigners.

According to the statement of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Deputy Secretary General Dr. Buğra Gökçe, approximately 2.5 million foreigners live in Istanbul according to İSKİ water consumption data.

RENTS HAVE SKYROCKETED, THE PUBLIC IS ANGRY

Reporting the data of the Istanbul Planning Agency, Buğra Gökçe stated that as of October 2023, the average rent in Istanbul has approached 13 thousand 300 liras. Accordingly, the ratio of the minimum wage to covering the rent has fallen to 85 percent. The pension can only cover 40 percent of the average rent.

HALF OF THOSE LIVING IN ISTANBUL ARE ANGRY, NEARLY HALF ARE BARELY GETTING BY

According to the Istanbul Barometer Report, which was conducted between September 27 and October 12, 2023, with the participation of 623 people, economic difficulties are challenging those residing in Istanbul. When participants were asked what was talked about most at home in September, 65 percent answered “economic problems.”

33 percent of the participants noted that they could only pay the minimum amount of their credit card debt. In September, 43 percent of the participants reported that they were barely getting by. In addition, 49 percent of Istanbulites said they have been angry in recent days.

According to the participants, the top three problems of Istanbul were determined as refugees and asylum seekers with 52 percent, economic problems with 50 percent, and traffic with 45 percent. These three problems were followed by housing sales and rental prices and a possible Istanbul earthquake.