Türkiye’s population trends signal new economic and workforce challenges
Population growth continues, but falling fertility and rising life expectancy are expected to reshape labor supply, productivity, pension systems, and public spending over coming decades
ANKARA, Türkiye (MNTV) – Türkiye remained the world’s 18th most populous country in 2025 with a population of 86.1 million, according to new data released by the Turkish Statistical Institute to mark World Population Day.
While the country continues to maintain a relatively young demographic profile compared with Europe, the latest figures indicate that declining fertility rates and a growing elderly population are steadily reshaping its long-term population structure.
Based on the United Nations mid-year population estimates for 2025, the global population is projected to reach 8.23 billion people.
India remained the world’s largest country by population with nearly 1.46 billion people, followed by China with 1.42 billion and the United States with 347.3 million. Together, these three countries account for almost 40 percent of the global population.
Türkiye’s population reached 86,092,168, representing approximately 1 percent of the world’s total population and placing the country 18th among 194 countries. While this position reflects continued demographic significance, the underlying indicators point to structural changes that are becoming increasingly important for future economic and social planning.
The report highlights that children aged 0 to 17 account for 29.3 percent of the global population. In Türkiye, children represent 24.8 percent of the population, placing the country below the global average but above every member state of the European Union.
This indicates that Türkiye continues to maintain a comparatively younger population despite declining birth rates.
A similar pattern appears among young people aged 15 to 24. Globally, this age group represents 15.6 percent of the population, while Türkiye records a slightly lower share of 14.8 percent.
Although below the world average, Türkiye’s youth population remains larger than that of all European Union member states, reflecting a demographic advantage that continues to distinguish the country from much of Europe.
At the same time, the proportion of elderly citizens continues to increase. People aged 65 and over now account for 11.1 percent of Türkiye’s population, exceeding the global average of 10.4 percent.
Although European Union countries continue to record significantly older populations, the latest figures indicate that Türkiye is steadily moving toward a more aged demographic structure.
The most significant demographic challenge identified in the report is the continued decline in fertility. The global fertility rate is estimated at 2.24 children per woman in 2025, while Türkiye’s fertility rate has fallen to 1.42 children per woman.
This remains well below the replacement level required to maintain long-term population stability without migration.
The decline in fertility reflects a trend observed across many middle- and high-income countries. Lower birth rates can gradually reduce the size of the working-age population while increasing pressure on pension systems, healthcare services, and long-term economic productivity.
If sustained over time, demographic aging may require significant adjustments in labor markets, family policies, and social welfare systems.
Life expectancy continues to improve in Türkiye. Men are expected to live an average of 75.5 years, while women are expected to reach 80.7 years.
Both figures exceed the global averages of 70.9 years for men and 76.2 years for women, reflecting continued improvements in healthcare, living standards, and public health outcomes.
The latest demographic indicators present a mixed picture for Türkiye. The country continues to benefit from a younger population than most European nations while maintaining relatively strong life expectancy. However, declining fertility and a steadily growing elderly population indicate that demographic aging is becoming an increasingly important long term policy challenge.
The data suggest that maintaining economic growth, labor force participation, and sustainable social support systems will depend on how effectively Türkiye responds to these demographic changes in the years ahead.
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