# Turkey education and demographic trends

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-education-and-demographic-trends
> Updated: 2026-09-10T07:10:22.000Z. Sources: 20. Developments: 3.

Turkey continues to see shifts in its educational performance and demographic profile. Building on previous PISA trends, the 2025 results show Turkey rising to 19th place in science, 18th in reading, and 28th in mathematics among 91 nations. These scores place the country above the OECD average in both science and reading.

National Education Minister Yusuf Tekin attributed these improvements to structural reforms, specifically the ‘Türkiye Century Maarif Model’ curriculum, enhanced teacher training, and better technological infrastructure. He also noted a reduction in the influence of private tutoring centers. The Ministry has set a goal to reach the top five in PISA rankings by 2029 by reducing exam-oriented pressure and limiting the number of high schools that rely solely on entrance exams.

Despite these gains, some academics have raised concerns regarding the transparency of the results. Critics have questioned the selection criteria for participating students and schools, suggesting the Ministry may have prepared specific students for the digital exam. Furthermore, observers noted a discrepancy between these high PISA scores and the lower average scores observed in national university entrance exams.

Demographically, the country faces an aging trend driven by declining fertility rates. The population aged 65 and older now accounts for 11.1 percent of the total population, with Sinop being the oldest province at 21.7 percent and Şırnak the youngest at 3.8 percent. Projections suggest a potential demographic crisis if current trends persist.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-10: Türkiye shows significant rise in PISA 2025 education rankings

Türkiye showed significant gains in the 2025 PISA results across science, math, and reading, surpassing OECD averages in two categories. Officials credit reforms, while critics question selection transparency.

13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-shows-rising-pisa-2025-scores-in-science-math-and-reading

### 2026-08-15: Turkey demographic and education trends show rising graduation rates and aging population

TÜİK 2025 data shows rising higher education rates in Turkey, with women outperforming men, alongside an aging population trend led by Sinop.

5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-demographic-and-education-trends-show-rising-graduation-rates-and-aging-population

### 2026-08-14: Turkey Ministry of National Education reports 25-year educational transformation

Turkey's Ministry of National Education reported major educational advancements over 25 years, including massive budget increases, expanded school infrastructure, and significant rises in enrollment rates.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/turkey-ministry-of-national-education-reports-25-year-educational-transformation

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Cite as: Turkey education and demographic trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/turkey-education-and-demographic-trends