Turkey's Migration Wave: Stability in Internal Markets

The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) has revealed that 2.475.190 people migrated between provinces in Turkey last year, as reported in the 2025 Internal Migration Statistics bulletin. This figure underscores the continued movement of people within the country while providing an opportunity to analyze how economic and demographic dynamics intersect.

The Underlying Dynamics of Steady Migration

■Istanbul's dominance: As in previous years, Istanbul maintained its central role in migration flows, with %60 of the 2.5 million migrants relocating to the city.

■Economic drivers: Factors such as job opportunities, education access, and improved quality of life have emerged as key motivations for migration.

■Demographic shifts: Migration from regions with a younger population to areas with an older demographic highlights inequalities in Turkey's population structure.

How Markets Are Affected by Migration?

■Stock market performance: Increased migration has boosted investor confidence in Turkey's long-term economic potential, with the BIST 100 rising by %5.

■Credit markets: Migration has driven up demand for credit, improving banks' net interest margins (NIM) by %2.5 last year.

■Digital payment systems: The digitalization of migration has led to a %18 increase in mobile payment usage.

In a period of sustained migration, Turkey's economic growth sustainability hinges on capital flows and digital infrastructure development. Banks must rapidly adapt to the new demands arising from this migration wave. Additionally, measures to address the demographic impacts of migration, such as education and unemployment initiatives, are essential.