Population figures
Total country population
86,260,417
Forcibly displaced population
Refugees (under UNHCR's mandate):
3,148,663
Asylum-seekers:
194,637
IDPs (of concern to UNHCR):
0
Other people in need of international protection:
0
Other
Statelessness persons
415
Host community
0
Others of concern to UNHCR
0
Country context
Türkiye, located at the crossroads of Europe and Asia, has been the largest refugee hosting country in the world for the past 11 years. Refugees come from a variety of countries, including Syria, Afghanistan, Iraq, and Ukraine. Syrians, the largest group under temporary protection, benefit from a more streamlined process, while individuals from other nationalities, such as Afghan and Iraqi nationals, go through individual refugee status determination procedures. Refugees and asylum-seekers in Türkiye live across various provinces, with the majority residing in urban areas.
Türkiye has acceded to the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol, although it maintains a geographical limitation, granting refugee status only to individuals from European countries. This limitation affects the ability of non-European refugees to secure durable protection within the country. The country is also in the process of addressing issues related to statelessness, with efforts underway to accede to the 1961 Convention on the Reduction of Statelessness.
...Türkiye’s refugee response is based on the Law on Foreigners and International Protection (LFIP) and the Temporary Protection Regulation. Syrian nationals, stateless persons, and refugees who arrived from Syria since April 2011 are granted temporary protection status under this legislation. Other nationals go through an individual status determination procedure as international protection applicants.
The vast majority of refugees live among people in the local community. According to the LFIP, refugees benefit from access to services, including health, education, and social assistance. In addition, some two million refugees, about 53% of the total, are receiving the Emergency Social Safety Net (ESSN) and complementary ESSN cash assistance, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented by MoFSS and Turkish Red Crescent (TRC). Job loss and severe inflation have worsened the economic situation of vulnerable people, including refugees.
Türkiye experienced two earthquakes on 6 February 2023, devastating the Southeast region of the country. The 11 provinces in the Southeast that were placed under a state of emergency have some 14 million people, including 1.75 million refugees which represents over 40% of the refugee population in the country. More than three million people reportedly left the earthquake affected area to the rest of the country, including an estimated 180,000 refugees.
There is a growing perception that refugees’ presence is stretching the limited resources and services, increasing competition over jobs, with the risk of fueling unsocial behavior. Public services are stretched to meet demands of both local and refugee populations. Although the legal framework remains inclusive, the authorities are implementing stricter control measures including freedom of movement. Yet, for the vast majority of refugees, staying in Türkiye may be the most viable solution for the foreseeable future. The situation in Afghanistan and Syria is not conducive yet to organized voluntary repatriation, and resettlement remains available for only a limited number of extremely vulnerable refugees.
Türkiye has been active in international fora, such as the Global Refugee Forum, and has made pledges related to refugee protection and solutions. Despite the challenges, the country continues to offer protection to refugees. Efforts to address the long-term needs of refugees, including employment and education, are ongoing, with a focus on integration into the formal economy and access to education.
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