Istanbul which was home to many civilizations for many centuries is Turkey's most populous city. One of most important characteristics of Istanbul is the fact that it has received migration at every era of the history. Istanbul continued receive migration during the Republican Period, too. In addition to being Turkey's largest city in terms of population, Istanbul is a metropolis where the qualified labor force and significant investments have come gathered.

District Populations of Istanbul

According to TURKSTAT, the population of Istanbul was 15 million 29 thousand 231 people in 2017, while the population increased by 38 thousand 493 in 2018 to 15 million 67 thousand 724 people. Istanbul's most populous districts are Esenyurt with 891 thousand 120 people, Küçükçekmece with 770 thousand 317 people and Bağcılar with 734 thousand 369 people, respectively. The least populous districts of Istanbul is Adalar with 16 thousand 119 people, Şile with 36 thousand 516 people and Çatalca with 72 thousand 966 people, respectively.

The district that saw the highest population increase from 2017 to 2018 is Esenyurt with 44 thousand 628 people, whereas Şişli saw the lowest population increase with 93 people.

In 2018, districts of Ataşehir, Bağcılar, Bahçelievler, Bayrampaşa, Bakırköy, Beşiktaş, Beykoz, Beyoğlu, Esenler, Gaziosmanpaşa, Güngören, Kâğıthane, Kadıköy, Kartal, Küçükçekmece, Maltepe, Pendik, Sarıyer, Sultangazi, Ümraniye, Üsküdar, Zeytinburnu saw a drop in the population.

Population by Years

The population of Istanbul was 13 million 255 thousand 685 in 2010, 13 million 624 thousand 240 in 2011, 13 million 854 thousand 740 in 2012, 14 million 657 thousand 434 in 2015, 14 million 804 thousand 116 in 2016, 15 million 29 thousand 231 in 2017, and 15 million 67 thousand 724 in 2018.

Migration in Istanbul

While the number of people who migrated to Istanbul was 416 thousand 587 from 2016 to 2017, such number decreased by 31 thousand 105 to 385 thousand 482 from 2017 to 2018.

While the number of people who emigrated from Istanbul was 422 thousand 559 from 2016 to 2017, such number increased by 173 thousand 244 to 595 thousand 803 from 2017 to 2018. The net migration rate of Istanbul from 2017 to 2018 was announced as -210 thousand 321 and the net migration speed as -13.9.