Politics · Turkey · 11 hrs ago
Türkiye’s diaspora grows from migrant workforce into a wider network
Nearly 8 million people make up Türkiye’s diaspora worldwide, according to the figures given.
About 5.5 million people of Turkish origin live in Europe, and nearly half of them are in Germany.
The community has changed across generations: many early migrants worked in labor-intensive industries, while their children and grandchildren now include entrepreneurs, academics, artists and people active in politics and civil society.
Its ties with Türkiye now reach beyond remittances to include trade, investment, business partnerships and the exchange of knowledge.
Türkiye’s growing international presence can affect how people abroad feel about expressing their identity, while their achievements also influence how Türkiye is viewed.
The article argues that belonging in the country where people live can coexist with ties to their heritage, including language and culture.
It gives no specific next step or policy plan.
Türkiye’s diaspora has grown from a community largely made up of migrant workers into a network spanning business, academia, politics, the arts and civil society.
Nearly 8 million people make up the Turkish diaspora worldwide, according to Daily Sabah.
Europe is home to approximately 5.5 million people of Turkish origin, nearly half of whom live in Germany.
The shift has been shaped by successive generations’ achievements and Türkiye’s growing international presence.
The diaspora’s economic ties with Türkiye now include trade, investment, partnerships and knowledge exchange, as well as remittances.
- Who
- The Turkish diaspora, including people of Turkish origin living abroad.
- What
- It has expanded from a largely worker-based community into a wider network of professionals and civic participants.
- When
- The change has taken place over the past half-century.
- Where
- Worldwide, with approximately 5.5 million people of Turkish origin in Europe.
- Why
- Successive generations’ achievements and Türkiye’s growing international presence have contributed to the change.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Many of the first Turkish arrivals in Europe built their lives through work in labor-intensive industries.
Their children and grandchildren moved into fields including business, academia, civil society, politics, the arts and education.
Türkiye’s diaspora includes nearly 8 million people worldwide.
- Global diaspora
- Nearly 8 million people
- Europe
- Approximately 5.5 million people of Turkish origin
- Germany
- Nearly half of Europe’s people of Turkish origin live there
- Economic ties
- Trade, investment, entrepreneurship, partnerships and knowledge exchange
What people are saying
Strong diaspora, strong Türkiye