Turkey’s population of around 68.8 million is made up of multi-ethnic groups: the largest of which is Kurdish.

The population is predominantly young. In 2003, an estimated 10 % were <4 years old; only 2.3 % were > 65 years old.⁴⁹ There has been a marked migration from rural to urban centres. In 1960, 70% of the population lived in rural areas and 30% in urban areas. By 2000, only 25% were living in rural areas and 75% were in urban areas, the majority migrating from eastern areas to western areas into the three largest cities, Istanbul, Ankara and Izmir.⁵⁰

Religious groups include: Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews).⁵¹