Turkey demographic and education trends show rising graduation rates and aging population

Recent data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) reveals significant shifts in Turkey's educational and demographic landscape for 2025.

In terms of education, Istanbul leads the country with approximately 3.5 million university graduates, followed by Ankara and Izmir. There has been a substantial increase in higher education rates; the percentage of university graduates in the 25-34 age group rose from 13.5% in 2008 to 45.6% in 2025. Notably, women have surpassed men in educational attainment within this age bracket, with a 50.3% graduation rate compared to 41% for men.

Demographically, Turkey is experiencing an aging trend due to declining fertility rates. The population aged 65 and older now accounts for 11.1% of the total population. Sinop has been identified as the oldest province with a 21.7% elderly population, while Şırnak remains the youngest province at 3.8%. Projections suggest that if current low-fertility trends continue, the country may face a significant demographic crisis.