Turkey has become a major host country for refugees in recent years due to ongoing conflicts in neighboring regions. But what are the actual numbers of refugees currently residing in Turkey? This article provides a comprehensive overview of the latest refugee statistics in Turkey and the historical context that led to the influx of displaced populations.
Syria Crisis Drives Major Refugee Influx
The Syrian civil war that erupted in 2011 has been the major driver of Turkey’s large refugee population. Over 3.6 million Syrian refugees now live in Turkey as a result of the conflict, making Syrians the biggest group by far.
Turkey adopted an open-door policy when the Syrian crisis began. This allowed large numbers of displaced Syrians to seek safety in Turkey. The number of registered Syrian refugees in Turkey has climbed steadily year after year. By the end of 2014, there were already 1.6 million. This swelled to 2.5 million by 2016 and reached over 3.6 million by 2020.
Cities in southeastern Turkey near the Syrian border have received a particularly high concentration of refugees For example, the Syrian population in Gaziantep and Hatay provinces is now estimated to be over 25% of the total provincial population
Afghanistan, Iraq and Other Refugee Populations
In addition to the Syrian refugee influx Turkey is host to over 400000 registered refugees from other nations like Afghanistan and Iraq.
Afghans make up the second largest refugee group in Turkey, with around 170,000 registered refugees as of late 2021. This number increased in 2021 as the situation deteriorated in Afghanistan with the Taliban takeover. Prior to 2021, the number of registered Afghan refugees in Turkey hovered between 120,000-150,000 in recent years.
There are also over 42,000 registered refugees from Iraq in Turkey as of late 2021. The Iraqi refugee population has remained relatively stable in the 40,000-50,000 range over the past decade.
Iranians, Somalis, Pakistanis and a number of other displaced nationalities make up the remainder of the over 400,000 registered refugees from nations besides Syria.
Recent Statistics: Over 4 Million Refugees Total
Combining the statistics for both Syrian and non-Syrian registered refugees, Turkey was hosting over 4 million refugees within its borders by the end of 2021. This makes Turkey the #1 refugee hosting country worldwide.
To put Turkey’s refugee population in perspective, Turkey now hosts over 4 times more refugees than any other European country. Germany comes next with around 1 million refugees total.
Globally, Turkey hosted over 18% of the world’s total refugee population in 2020. And the country has maintained this top ranking for 7 consecutive years from 2014-2020.
Temporary Protection Status for Syrians
Unlike the refugee populations from other nations like Afghans and Iraqis, most Syrians in Turkey hold “temporary protection” status rather than full refugee status.
When the Syrian crisis erupted, Turkey invoked Article 91 of its Law on Foreigners and International Protection. This granted temporary protection status on a group basis to displaced Syrians entering the country.
Temporary protection status allows Syrian refugees to legally stay in Turkey until they can safely return to Syria. This group-based temporary status is easier to manage administratively than granting full refugee status on an individual basis.
Urban Refugees vs. Camp Populations
An interesting distinction of the Turkey refugee situation compared to many other countries is that most refugees in Turkey don’t live in camps.
Over 98% of Syrian refugees in Turkey live in urban, peri-urban and rural areas across Turkey’s 81 provinces. Only about 60,000 live in the 7 remaining refugee camps, down from a peak of 280,000 in camps in 2014.
For non-Syrian refugees, the situation is similar, with the vast majority living across Turkish cities, towns and villages rather than in refugee camps.
This urban refugee situation increases economic and social integration between refugees and Turkish host communities compared to the isolation of camp settings. But it also strains infrastructure and services in cities with high refugee populations.
Refugee Registration in Turkey
Registering with the Turkish authorities is key for refugees to access benefits like healthcare, education and legal employment.
For Syrians under temporary protection, registration is handled by the Turkish Directorate General of Migration Management (DGMM). Biometric data like fingerprints and iris scans are taken during registration.
The DGMM also registers asylum seekers and refugees from countries other than Syria. Applicants must register within 30 days of arriving in Turkey.
As of 2022, it’s estimated over 90% of Syrian refugees are registered, along with about two-thirds of non-Syrian refugees. Lack of registration puts refugees at risk of exploitation, detention and deportation.
Financial Support for Turkey’s Refugees
Hosting over 4 million refugees since 2011 has been an expensive undertaking for Turkey. International financial aid helps support the refugee response.
The European Union allocated around €6 billion to Turkey under the EU Facility for Refugees program from 2016-2025 to help cover refugee costs. This funding goes towards expenses like food, education and healthcare.
The UN’s refugee agency UNHCR also provides significant financial support in Turkey. In 2021, UNHCR had a budget of $348 million for its Turkey operation. This helped fund programs like monthly cash stipends to extremely vulnerable refugee families.
In total, Turkey has spent over $40 billion from its own national budget to respond to the Syrian crisis since 2011. This massive economic burden underlines the need for continued international support.
The Importance of Accurate Refugee Statistics
Reliable, frequently updated refugee statistics are crucial for humanitarian response planning and policy-making. The numbers reveal the changing dynamics on the ground.
Within Turkey, accurate statistics help government agencies and aid organizations deliver targeted, appropriate assistance based on current conditions.
Internationally, the numbers demonstrate Turkey’s exceptional efforts hosting refugees and highlight the need for global cooperation in resolving crises.
By tracking the latest statistics, we gain key insights into this massive displacement crisis. The figures bring the challenges and resilience of millions of refugees to light. While numbers alone can seem abstract, each one represents an individual human story. Turkey’s historic willingness to shelter so many reflects a compassionate spirit the entire world can learn from.
What are the needs?
Türkiye hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees, who have fled the ongoing war that has been ravaging their country for 13 years. Most of them face challenging and often precarious circumstances.
The country is making efforts to provide registered refugees access to basic rights and services, including education and health care. However, the depreciation of the Turkish lira, high inflation, and the lingering socio-economic impact of COVID-19 have further worsened the already difficult living conditions of refugees.
Price increases in essential areas such as food and transportation have seriously affected the refugee population and host communities across the country.
Vulnerable people, such as the disabled, children, and the elderly have been particularly hard hit.
From left to right:Halid (13), Aysa (8), Ali (6), Hassan (43), Esma (4), Eslem (10), Ahmed (17). This is Hassan’s family, they fled from Syria to Türkiye in 2012 where they built a new life. Hassan had a grocery shop and his children were going to school.© European Union, 2023 (photographer: Bahar Bakır Yurdakul)
Some refugees feel they have no choice but to resort to negative coping mechanisms, such as child labour, street begging, or child marriage. Many families reduce their food consumption or live in substandard housing.
On 6 February 2023, 2 earthquakes of magnitudes of 7.8 and 7.5 struck Türkiye. The first was one of the most powerful earthquakes in the region in more than 100 years and struck the southeast of the country, close to the border with Syria.
The Government of Türkiye reported over 50,000 deaths, over 107,000 injured, and more than 300,000 damaged or destroyed buildings.
The humanitarian needs in the earthquake-affected areas remain high. Key priorities include:
- access to social assistance and protection for vulnerable groups, namely psychosocial support
- the rehabilitation of health and education services
- water, sanitation, and hygiene
- shelter
- protection.
Anti-Arab sentiment sweeps Turkey, home to world’s largest refugee population • FRANCE 24 English
FAQ
How many refugees are currently within Turkey?
Why are so many refugees going to Turkey?
Which country has the largest refugee?
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Characteristic
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Number of admitted refugees
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Iran
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3,443,522
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Turkey
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3,368,976
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Germany
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2,509,506
|
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Pakistan
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2,080,501
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How many refugees are in Turkey in 2024?
How many refugees are in Turkey?
Turkey is home to the world’s largest Over 98 per cent of refugees in Turkey refugee population, with over 3.6 live in urban, peri-urban and rural million Syrian refugees and close to areas, while the remaining refugees 400,000 refugees and asylum- (1.7%) live in Temporary seekers of other nationalities. Accommodation Centres. hanistan, and Iraq.
How can Turkey help Syrian refugees?
A Focus on Children Equipping Syrian refugees with needed skills and expanding Turkish citizens’ access to formal jobs is a key area of focus, as is the provision of schooling. Among the 3.6 million Syrian refugees living in Turkey are 1.2 million children, many of whom have suffered intense emotional and mental trauma.
When did Syrian refugees come to Turkey?
Ten years ago, the first Syrian refugees fleeing conflict and violence in their home country began arriving in Turkey. What began as a trickle soon became an influx.
What is Turkey’s Refugee response?
Legal framework Turkey’s refugee response is based on a comprehensive legal framework, in particular the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (2013) and the Temporary Protection Regulation (2014). Working with Partners and Public Institutions Turkey continues to host the largest number of refugees in the world.