Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat)

Demographic Statistics Department

Turkish Statistical Institute

Demographic Statistics Department

Devlet Mah.Necatibey Cad. No:114

06420 Çankaya/Ankara

TÜRKİYE

Data and metadata are transmitted to Eurostat by the Member States in the framework of the Unified Demographic Data Collection which is in accordance with Regulation (EC) No 862/2007 and Regulation (EU) No 1260/2013 and their implementing regulations.

This Euro SDMX Metadata Structure is used for the purpose of quality reporting. The definition of the quality concepts and guidelines are described in the European Statistical System Handbook for Quality Reports.

The regional breakdown of the Member States in the regional demographic tables is done under the most recent NUTS classification. There are agreements between Eurostat and Candidate countries as well as between Eurostat and EFTA countries, for which statistical regions have been coded in a way that resembles NUTS.

For more information on the versions in force, please see: https://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/nuts/.

The Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics (NUTS): It was defined in order to collect regional statistics, to analize the socio-economic structures of regions, to set the frame of regional politics and to constitute the comparable statistical database which is convenient to the EU Regional Statistical System. In this system, provinces are defined as “Level 3”; closer provinces which are similar by their economic, social and geographic structures are grouped in hierarchy as “Level 1” and “Level 2” by considering their regional plans and population size.

A. Level 1 territorial units for statistics: Subregions (level 2) are grouped as a region. There are 12 regions.

B. Level 2 territorial units for statistics: Provinces (level 3) which are closer to each other in the same area are grouped as a subregion. There are 26 subregions.

C. Level 3 territorial units for statistics: It is the level by 81 provinces. Each province is defined as a territorial unit for statistics.

International Standard Classification of Education (ISCED): ISCED is designed to serve as an instrument suitable for assembling, compiling and presenting comparable indicators and statistics of education both within individual countries and internationally. It presents standard concepts, definitions and classifications. ISCED covers all organized and sustained learning opportunities for children, youth and adults including those with special needs education, irrespective of the institution or entity providing them or the form in which they are delivered.

In international migration statistics, TurkStat Classification Server and country list of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are used for country names.

Not applicable.

Number of persons.

Data are available at national level and NUTS 1-2-3 level.

For population, the reference date is 31/12/2022. Annual data is available since 2007 with the reference date of 31 December. 

For vital statistics, the reference date is calendar year. 

International migration statistics are being produced annually based on two consecutive ABPRS dated 31 December. Annual data is available since 2016.

The Press Releases on “International Migration Statistics, 2020” and “International Migration Statistics, 2021”, which were postponed previously, were announced to the public on April 6, 2023. The Press Release on “International Migration Statistics, 2023”  was also announced to the public on July 24, 2023.

Not applicable.

Data is collected at individual level.

The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period of (midnight of 31 December).

The reference period for vital events data is the calendar year in which the events occurred.

International migration statistics are being produced annually based on two consecutive ABPRS dated 31 December.

Turkish Statistical Institute 

The compilation and dissemination of the data are governed by the Turkish Statistical Law No. 5429 of 10 November 2005.

The purpose of this law is to determine basic principles and standards concerning the production and organisation of official statistics; and to regulate the formation, duties, and authorities of the Turkish Statistical Institute (Turkstat) which is to compile and assess data and information, produce, publish, and disseminate statistics on the areas that country needs, and to ensure coordination among institutions and organizations that are involved in the statistics process prescribed in the Official Statistics Programme (Article 1).

The Official Statistics Programme establishes the framework for official statistics that shall be produced on subjects required at national and international level. Censuses and surveys are carried out within the framework of this Programme. Taking into account the existing resources, the burden on the respondents and the cost-benefit analysis, the Programme covers statistics needed to determine and monitor the situations of the country in the fields of economy, social issues, demography, culture, environment, science, technology and any other required areas (Article 3).

The Presidency, institutions and organisations taken part in the Programme shall take the measures to ensure the easy and equal access to the official statistics by all users.

Population 

Data on population and housing are compiled according to the responsibilities stated in Paragraph (a) of Article 29 of the Turkish Statistical Law on collecting the required statistical information on population, housing, education, culture, tourism, health, sports, justice, media, politics and other social subjects, analyzing them and calculating related indicators.

TurkStat carried out the field application in order to establish the Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) in 2007. The aim of this study was to develop existing administrative records based on addresses. Population Services Law No. 5490 dated 25 April 2006 was the legal base for the ABPRS. One of the purposes of the ABPRS were to establish National Address Database (NAD) that covers all addresses within the boundaries of the country, to obtain the address information of Turkish citizens and foreigners living in Türkiye, to match the address information and the Central Civil Registration System-MERNIS by using the Turkish Republic identification numbers for Turkish citizens, to match the address information and passport numbers of foreigners and to keep this information in a separate database. 

Vital Statistics

Vital events including births, deaths, marriages and divorces are obtained from the central civil registration system-MERNIS database, which is kept and updated by the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship of the Ministry of Interior, statistics are produced. MERNIS was converted to the online system in 2001. After that, birth statistics has been produced since 2001 from population registers. While birth statistics has been published according to the place of event (the place of birth occurred) in 2001-2008, it has been published according to the usual residence after 2009. Death statistics has been produced from MERNIS database since 2009. Death data taken from MERNIS database are matched with the causes of death data of TurkStat. So, death events not included in MERNIS database are added to the statistics. Main fertility and mortality indicators have been produced by NUTS-3 level since 2009. 

According to the Turkish Statistical Law with Article 12, access to statistical results are given as follows:

Article 12 - The Presidency, institutions and organisations taken part in the Programme* shall take the measures to ensure the easy and equal access to the official statistics by all users by obeying the standards and release calendar specified in the Programme. The statistical information compiled by the TurkStat cannot be given to any person or authority before this information is made open to public.

*Programme: The Official Statistics Programme

Population

Population Services Law No. 5490 charged TurkStat for establishing the ABPRS, and Ministry of Interior, the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (GDCRC) of the Ministry of Interior for developing and maintaining the system. Changes in usual residence addresses are entered to the system by the Provincial and District Directorates of Population of the GDCRC. Updated information on population size and the basic characteristics of population is obtained from the system and announced by the TurkStat.Governmental organizations and establishments access the registers in the system for their administrative works by a protocol with GDCRC according to the Law. 

International Migration Statistics

Annual immigration and emigration flow statistics were calculated based on Address Based Registration System, where the records of Turkish Republic (T.R.) citizens and foreigners residing in Türkiye are kept, and the database on T.R. citizens living abroad. Both these two systems are updated by the Ministry of Interior General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (GDCRC).

The main data sources are ABPRS, records of Turkish Republic citizens living abroad, residence permits, work permits, Central Civil Registration System (MERNIS) records dated 31 December, and birth/death records.

Confidential data

According to the Turkish Statistical Law:

Confidential data can be accessed only by those involved in the production of official statistics, to the extent that they need for performing their duties properly. If the number of the statistical unit in any cell of the data table formed by aggregating the individual data is less than three or one or two of the statistical units are dominant even if the number of units is three or more, the data in the concerned cell is considered confidential. The confidential data are compiled, processed and preserved for the production of official statistics cannot be delivered to any administrative, judiciary or military authority or person, can not be used for purposes other than statistics or as an instrument of proof. Civil servants and other staff in charge of compiling and processing these data are obliged to comply with this rule. This obligation continues after the related personnel leave their duties and positions. The rulers of the institutions and organizations producing official statistics shall take all measures to prevent any illicit access, use or revelation of the confidential data. Data or information obtained from sources that are open to all people shall not be deemed confidential (Article 13).

Data confidentiality ceases when a statistical unit gives written approval for the revelation of confidential data concerning itself.

Principles and procedures relating to data confidentiality and security shall be regulated through statutes to be issued in line with national and international principles and by soliciting the opinion of relevant institutions and organizations.

Use of individual data
Individual data may be given with the written permission of the Presidency after obscuring those parts which may lead to direct or indirect identification and on the condition that such data is used in scientific studies without any reference to distinct statistical units. People who are entitled to use individual data cannot give these data to third parties (Article 14).

For vital statistics this procedure is not available.

But for population statistics and international migration:

- "not for publication" flag is put for the observation less than 3.

- Other contains Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus.

Population statistics: The results of Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) dated 31 December 2022 has been released on 6 February 2023.                

Vital statistics:

Marrriage and Divorce Statistics : 24 February 2023

Birth Statistics : 15 May 2023

Death and Causes of Death Statistics :  22 June 2023

International  Migration Statistics : The Press Releases on “International Migration Statistics, 2020” and “International Migration Statistics, 2021”, which were postponed previously, were announced to the public on April 6, 2023. The Press Release on “International Migration Statistics, 2023”  was also announced to the public on July 24, 2023.

National Data Publishing Calendar: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Kurumsal/Veri_Takvimi.

Users can access release calendar from the following related link: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Kurumsal/Veri_Takvimi.

Annual.

Population: 

ABPRS annual results are presented to the public with a press release in every January or February.

For the press release: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=The-Results-of-Address-Based-Population-Registration-System-2022-49685.

It is possible to access ABPRS annual data by using “database” section through the web-site of TurkStat: https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en.

International Migration Statistics:

Annual international migration statistics are announced to the public with a press release in every July.

For the press release for the year 2020: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=International-Migration-Statistics-2020-37212.

For the press release for the year 2021: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=International-Migration-Statistics-2021-45814.
For the press release for the year 2022: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=International-Migration-Statistics-2022-49457.

The Press Releases on “International Migration Statistics, 2020” and “International Migration Statistics, 2021”, which were postponed previously, were announced to the public on April 6, 2023. The Press Release on “International Migration Statistics, 2023”  was also announced to the public on July 24, 2023.

Vital Statistics

Marriage and Divorce Statistics: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Marriage-and-Divorce-Statistics-2022-49437.

Birth Statistics: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Birth-Statistics-2022-49673.

Death and Causes of Death Statistics:

Death and Causes of Death Statistics, 2022: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=Death-and-Causes-of-Death-Statistics-2022-49679.

For reference years 2020 and 2021 the posponed press releases had been announced on 23 February 2023 via links below;

Death and Causes of Death Statistics, 2020: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=death-and-causes-of-death-statistics-2020-37243&dil=2.

Death and Causes of Death Statistics, 2021: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Bulten/Index?p=death-and-causes-of-death-statistics-2021-45715&dil=2.

Not applicable.

Population and Demography

Static statistical tables: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Kategori/GetKategori?p=Population-and-Demography-109.

Online dynamic database: https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en.

Not applicable. 

Population and Demography

Static statistical tables: https://data.tuik.gov.tr/Kategori/GetKategori?p=Population-and-Demography-109.

Online dynamic database: https://biruni.tuik.gov.tr/medas/?kn=95&locale=en.

Metadata on all indicators are given via TurkStat web page.

All other documents such as guidelines and technical documents are available only for internal use. They are not published or shared.

In line with the TurkStat Quality Assurance Framework and the European Statistics Code of Practice, various quality assurance applications regarding the coverage, content and up-to-dateness and other quality aspects are carried out annually.

Besides, quality control measurements such as cross checks and validations are conducted, as well. 

Documentation on quality management and quality assessment are available only for internal use.

For population, vital statistics and international migration statistics, institutional quality reports are published at website within 45 days after the press release published.

All documents regarding quality assurance and control are available only for internal use, they are not published or shared.

See: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Kurumsal/Tuik_Kalite_Guvence_Cercevesi_Belgesi

For official statistics produced by TurkStat, definition of country of birth by statistical unit is given below. 

* For whole population, information on country of birth is produced based on the administrative registers. In this sense, definition of country of birth may differ for those born abroad depending on the registration process in the country of birth.

Quality of data is assured through procedures for data validation, editing, coding and verifying. The procedures are performed following clearly prescribed rules. E-citizenship system serves integrated with The Central Civil Registration System (MERNIS) and Address Registration System (AKS). Related areas filled automatically in the programme without interfering the user as much as possible. Moreover, there are many controls in relation to incorrect data entry into the programme.

TurkStat's “National Quality Principles and Standards in Official Statistics” document is available here: https://www.resmiistatistik.gov.tr/media/pdf/quality/ResmiIstatistiklerdeUlusalKaliteIlkeveStandartlar%C4%B1/EN/media.pdf.

TurkStat carries out national quality management strategy in line with the European Statistics Code of Practice.

TurkStat produces official statistics according to the Official Statistics Programme which is prepared for 5-year period. In the preparation process of this programme, the needs of users, academia, organizations and institutions are taken into consideration.

Not applicable.

Population statistics: 100%.

Vital statistics: 95%-100%.

International migration statistics: 100%.

For both migration stocks and flows, some foreigners have unknown citizenship. Although it is known that these persons are foreign citizens, their country of citizenship is unknown. Likewise, but much more than the country of citizenship, the data includes nationals and non-nationals with unknown place of birth.

In the births particularly information about foreign mothers taken from Central Civil Registration System and in the marriages and divorces information of the foreign partner taken from Central Civil Registration System are lack. Also, other information of foreign persons added to main birth and main death data are in line with the criteria used for determination of foreign population in the ABPRS. 

For deaths which covered in the Central Civil Registration System, but not covered in Death Notification System (yet or will never be transferred to the TurkStat) are published as ‘Unknown’, but not ill-defined, in terms of causes of death. The coverage and timeliness of civil registration is more comprehensive than MoH. That’s why there are records (given “unknown”) in the statistics (comes from civil registration) as a deceased person which they cannot be assigned an underlying cause of death since it’s not included in the Death Notification System (MoH). 

Annual results of Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) dated 31 December are disseminated within one month (t+30). 

International migration statistics, which are based on two consecutive ABPRS, are disseminated 6 months (t+180) after the release of ABPRS results. 

Marriage and divorce statistics are disseminated within 2 months (t+60).

Birth statistics are disseminated within 5 months (t+135).

Death and Causes of Death statistics are disseminated within 6 months (t+180).

All official statistics under the responsibility of TurkStat are disseminated on the predetermined date and time specified in the National Data Publishing Calendar.

National Data Publishing Calendar: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/Kurumsal/Veri_Takvimi

Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) is a centralized nationwide system, which provides comparability for the whole country. According to the results of ABPRS, annual information on population size and basic characteristics of the population are produced by localities (province, district, municipality, village and quarter) and statistical regions. International migration statistiscs are also produced by province and district based on the ABPRS.

Comparability processes are performed between geographical areas (only provinces and districts) also for vital statistics.

Population and international migration statistics:

Population and international migration statistics are produced by TurkStat based on Address Based Registration System. Residence permit statistics are published by Ministry of Interior Presidency of Migration Management. The main differences across these domains are as follows:

• Individuals who renounced the Turkish citizenship with the authorization of Turkish Republic need to get neither residence permit nor work permit. Although, they are accepted as foreigner and included in official population statistics provided that they are residing in the country with a valid address declaration at the reference day.
• In Türkiye, work permits subsitute for residence permits according to the related law. Thus, individuals holding work permits do not apply for residence permit.
• Individuals having international protection status (refugees, conditional refugees, persons under subsidiary protection) are issued a document equivalent to the residence permit. Hence, this group do not apply for residence permit. On the other hand, they are included in official population statistics provided that they are residing in the country with a valid address declaration at the reference day. 

Marriage and divorce statistics: Not applicable.

Birth statistics: Performing coherence with causes of death data (Death Notification System) and Ministry of Health birth records. Also, Birth Notification System records are taken account.

Death and causes of death statistics: Performing coherence with causes of death data (Death Notification System) and Ministry of Health infant death records.

Population Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain.

International Migration Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain. 

Marriage and Divorce Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain.

Birth Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain.

Death and Causes of Death Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain.

Not applicable.

Population Statistics: Published data are final and not subject to revisions.

International Migration Statistics: Published data are final and not subject to revisions.

Marriage and Divorce Statistics: Information form on revisions for the marriage and divorce statistics can be accessed here: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/indir/revizyon/2020_RBF_EN_DIDB_HIG_EBI.pdf.

Birth Statistics: Information form on revisions for the birth statistics can be accessed here: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/indir/revizyon/2016_RBF_EN_DIDB_HTCIG_DI.pdf.

Death and Causes of Death Statistics: Information form on revisions for the death statistics can be accessed here: https://www.tuik.gov.tr/indir/revizyon/2020_RBF_EN_DIDB_HIG_OONI.pdf.

Population Statistics : Published data are final and not subject to revisions.

International Migration Statistics: Published data are final and not subject to revisions.

Marriage and Divorce Statistics: Marriage and divorce data were revised 1 year retrospectively due to delayed registrations in the administrative records.

Birth Statistics: Birth data were revised 5 years retrospectively due to delayed registrations in the administrative records.

Death and Causes of Death Statistics: Death data were revised 3 years retrospectively, causes of death and suicide data were revised 1 (one) year retrospectively due to delayed registrations in the administrative records.

Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS)

In order to obtain up-to-date information on population size of localities and monitoring the population movements, ABPRS was established in 2007 by the Turkish Statistical Institute and subsequently transferred to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (GDCRC) which is the responsible institution for maintaining and updating the system.

The legal base of ABPSRS is the Population Registration Law No. 5490. In the establishment process of the system, addresses of the Turkish citizens and foreigners residing in Türkiye, of which were identified in the National Address Database (NAD), were obtained and this information were matched, for Turkish citizens, with the registers of the MERNIS database by using the Turkish Republic identification numbers. For foreign citizens, usual residence addresses were matched by using passport numbers.

Annual information on population size and basic characteristics (i.e. age and sex structure, legal marital status, province of civil registration, internal migration, place of birth, foreign population, household size and type) of the population are produced by localities. For foreign citizens, usual residence addresses were matched by using passport numbers.

ABPRS is also used as a base for population projections, life tables and international migration statistics.

National Address Database (NAD)

Database that covers all address components within the borders of the country. Numbering study, which was the source for the NAD, was carried out by municipalities in localities having municipal organizations, and by special provincial administrations in villages.

Later on, by entering address information to the system via a web-based program developed by the Turkish Statistical Institute, NAD was established in 2006 and subsequently transferred to the GDCRC.

Municipalities are obliged to enter the address changes into the system regularly, and to give construction and occupancy permits through this system by using the database. Administrative attachment, name and legal entity changes of provinces, districts, towns, villages and quarters (including small areas connected some villages) are reflected to the NAD by the GDCRC. In the NAD, name and/or number of square, avenue, main street, street, building and dwelling (dwelling unit, office, etc.) are updated by municipalities and special provincial administrations.

On the other hand, changes in usual residence addresses of persons are entered in the system by the local population registration offices according to the declarations of the persons. Updated information from the ABPRS and other administrative registers is published annually by the TurkStat.

The Central Civil Registration System (MERNIS)

It is a database within the Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (GDCRC) which includes population registers in the form of family ledgers. Birth, death, marriage and divorce events, citizenship and other vital events are registered by local population directorates of the GDCRC. Population registers are kept in the form of family ledgers which is arranged according to the father for each family.

Population Statistics:

Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) was established in 2007 by the Turkish Statistical Institute and subsequently transferred to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizanship (GDCRC) which is the responsible institution for maintaining and updating the system.

ABPRS is updated by the following three ways:

• Updating the address components (numberering, establishing/abolishing streets etc.) in the NAD by municipalities;
• Updating the changes in administrative units (changes regarding administrative attachments/borders/names of provinces, districts, municipalities, villages and quarters) by the GDCRC;
• Updating the usual residence of persons by the Provincial and District Directorates of the GDCRC.

Updated information on population by localities and the basic characteristics of population are obtained from the system annually by the TurkStat.

Annual ABPRS results by the end of the year (31 December) have been announced to the public in February with a press release.

International Migration Statistics:

International migration statistics are produced based on ABPRS annually beginning from 2016. The main data sources are ABPRS, records of Turkish Republic citizens living abroad, residence permits, work permits, Central Population Administration System (MERNIS) records dated 31 December.

Vital Statistics:

Vital statistics are also produced from this system annually.

National Address Database (NAD): It covers all addresses within the boundaries of the country. Numbering studies, which were the source for the NAD, were carried out by municipalities in localities having municipal organizations, and by special provincial administrations in villages. After infrastructural studies of the NAD were implemented by the TurkStat, the database was established in 2006.

Addresses on the NAD are controlled and problems related with addresses which are wrong or not found in the field or are not present in the NAD are solved and corrections are done on the database. In this manner, the NAD and addresses in the field are compatible.

While addresses in the NAD are updated by municipalities, changes in administrative units are updated by General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (GDCRC).

Address Based Population Registration System (ABPRS): ABPRS was established in 2007 by the Turkish Statistical Institute and subsequently transferred to the General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (GDCRC), which is responsible for maintaining and updating the system.

In the establishment process of the system, addresses of the Turkish citizens and foreigners residing in Türkiye, of which were identified in the National Address Database (NAD), were obtained and this information were matched, for Turkish citizens, with the registers of the MERNIS database by using the Turkish Republic identification numbers. For foreign citizens, usual residence addresses were matched by using passport numbers.

   Address Based Population Registration System is updated by the following three ways:

• Updating the address components (numberering, establishing/abolishing streets etc.) in the NAD by municipalities;
• Updating the changes in administrative units (changes regarding administrative attachments/borders/names of provinces, districts, municipalities, villages and quarters) by the GDCRC;
• Updating the usual residence of persons by the Provincial and District Directorates of the GDCRC.

The Central  Civil Registration  System (MERNIS): It is a database within the Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Civil Registration and Citizenship (GDCRC) which includes population registers in the form of family ledgers. Birth, death, marriage and divorce events, citizenship and other vital events are registered by local population directorates of the GDCRC. Population registers are kept in the form of family ledgers which is arranged according to the father for each family.

Causes of death data: Death certificate is filled out by the physicians in the hospitals, family health centers, institutions of municipal medicine, institutions of forensic medicine and other health institutions via Death Notification System (DNS). Coding the diseases at the sections for the determination of causes of death are done according to International Classification of Diseases (ICD-10) and underlining causes of death are determined in TurkStat Regional Offices. 

Residence/work permits: In terms of international migration, records of residence permits are kept by Ministry of Interior Presidency of Migration Management and records of work permits are kept by Directorate General of International Labour Force.

Records of foreigners and Turkish Republic citizens living abroad: Records of foreigners and Turkish Republic citizens living abroad are kept and maintained by GDCRC. These records are transferred to Turkstat simultaneously.

Population Statistics : Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain. Time series analysis are conducted by tables.

International Migration Statistics : Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain. Time series analysis are conducted by tables.

Marriage and Divorce Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain. Time series analysis are conducted by tables.

Birth Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain. Time series analysis are conducted by tables.

Death and Causes of Death Statistics: Cross validations are carried out to check consistency among the different tables for each domain. Time series analysis are conducted by tables.

Not applicable.

Not applicable.

No comment.