2.2 million people have migrated from Istanbul in 5 years, number of foreign nationals has increased

Former CHP Istanbul Deputy Gürsel Tekin drew attention to the migration trends in Istanbul over the last 7-8 years.

According to data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), while 2.2 million people have migrated from Istanbul to other cities in the last 5 years, one of the most significant reasons for this migration has been “better housing and living conditions.”

Tekin stated, “Along with these migration movements, there is a serious increase in the number of foreign nationals living in Istanbul. Istanbul has become the homeland of foreigners.”

According to the report in Sözcü, Tekin noted that, for example, in Kadıköy's Moda neighborhood, families who have been there for 200-300 years have been unable to withstand the crisis and have left Istanbul after renting out their homes, adding that the middle class has settled in cities like Çanakkale and Balıkesir.

Stating that the majority experiencing deep poverty have returned to their villages and towns in Anatolia, Tekin said, “Who is coming in their place? Citizens of countries like Egypt, Ukraine, and Iran, who have become wealthy in their own countries, have acquired property in central parts of Istanbul and moved in.”

News Source: 12punto