Youth Migration in Turkey: Desire to Move Abroad Drops

Youth migration trends in Turkey have undergone a dramatic shift over the past two years, with the desire to settle abroad falling from 43% in 2023 to 28% in 2025. According to the “Youth Well-Being in Turkey” survey conducted by Habitat Association and Infakto Research Workshop, young professionals are increasingly prioritizing job stability at home over the uncertainties of moving abroad.

Changing Aspirations: From Migration to Professional Stability

The research highlights a significant decline in the intent to migrate for both work and education. While 41% of students still harbor dreams of moving abroad, this figure has plummeted to just 22% among working youth.

The top destinations—Germany, the USA, the UK, and France—remain consistent, but the feasibility of these plans has come under scrutiny.

Interestingly, 35% of those who still wish to leave believe they will never be able to realize this goal. This suggests that for many, the “foreign dream” has transitioned from an actionable plan into a distant wish. Meanwhile, overall life satisfaction has increased by 8 points since 2023, reaching 54%, though it remains significantly lower than the 71% recorded in 2017.

The Employment Gap: Hope Tied to Professional Status

The survey underscores that employment is the single greatest factor influencing the well-being of Turkey’s youth. The data reveals a stark divide in future expectations based on job status:

• Working Youth & Students: Approximately 50% of employees and 48% of students remain hopeful about the future.

• Job Seekers: Optimism collapses to just 16% among those currently looking for work.

Despite a slight decrease in the active job-seeking rate—dropping to 12% in 2025—economic pressures remain tangible. Nearly 42% of young people report having paid bills late in the last two years, and only 26% save money regularly.

Furthermore, a sense of political detachment is growing. Over 57% of participants feel that politicians do not prioritize the concerns of the younger generation. This combination of economic pragmatism and political disillusionment suggests that the recent shifts in youth migration in Turkey are driven more by a strategic focus on current employment than a total restoration of long-term confidence.

Source: turkiyegazetesi