Turkey has seen a dramatic surge in its foreign resident population, which has grown nearly sixfold over the past 20 years. As of April 2025, the country is home to 1,084,501 people holding residence permits, a significant increase from just 178,964 in 2005, according to new data from the Immigration Directorate.
This growth highlights Turkey’s evolving role as a destination for international residents, influenced by geopolitical events and its increasing appeal as a place for living and investment.
Key Trends in Residency
The data from April 3, 2025, reveals distinct patterns in how foreign nationals are choosing to live in Turkey.
- Permit Types:
- Short-term permits make up the largest group, with 481,311 holders.
- Student permits follow with 187,751.
- Family residence permits account for 150,991.
- An “other” category includes 264,448 permit holders.
- Geographic Distribution:
- Istanbul remains the primary hub, hosting a massive 534,027 foreign residents.
- Antalya is second with 114,510.
- Ankara has 69,632.
- Provinces like Tunceli, Muş, and Bitlis have the smallest numbers, with fewer than 250 residents each.
- Leading Nationalities:
- Turkmenistan nationals form the largest group with 121,990 residents.
- They are followed by citizens from Azerbaijan (85,331), Russia (81,413), Iran (76,416), and Syria (73,063).
The data also shows specific trends by nationality: Iraqi citizens hold the most short-term permits (53,462), Turkmenistan nationals lead in student permits (28,725), and Russian citizens top the family residence permit category (16,625).
A Look at the Numbers: Peaks and Valleys
The growth in foreign residents wasn’t a straight line but reflected global events.
- Steady Climb (2011-2019): After remaining stable from 2005-2010, numbers began a steady increase, rising from 234,268 in 2011 to 856,470 in 2018, and reaching 1.1 million in 2019.
- COVID-19 Dip (2020): A temporary drop to 886,653 occurred in 2020 due to the pandemic.
- Russia-Ukraine War Peak (2021-2022): Numbers rebounded sharply to 1.31 million in 2021, peaking at 1.34 million in 2022, largely influenced by the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
- Recent Adjustment: Since then, the numbers have slightly declined to 1.1 million in 2023 and 1.05 million in 2024, before the recorded increase to 1,084,501 in April 2025.
Turkey’s Growing Allure for Global Wealth
Beyond general residency, Turkey is increasingly attracting wealthy individuals, particularly in its major cities.
- Millionaire Hub: A recent report shows Turkey is home to 40,200 millionaires, 131 centi-millionaires (with $100 million or more in assets), and 16 billionaires.
- Istanbul’s Dominance: Istanbul alone hosts 15,000 millionaires, 58 centi-millionaires, and 10 billionaires, solidifying its status as a financial powerhouse.
- Economic Significance: Turkey’s total liquid wealth is estimated at approximately $945 billion, with per capita liquid assets averaging $11,200.
Istanbul is not just Turkey’s financial hub but also a gateway between Europe and the Middle East. The city’s lifestyle, investment opportunities, and rich culture are making it, along with Bodrum, more visible on the global wealth map. Global investors are showing strong international interest in Turkey’s residence-by-investment programs, drawn by its appeal as a robust alternative for living and asset diversification.