For the first time in recent history, people are leaving Istanbul. According to TÜİK data, high numbers are migrating to nearby cities such as Çanakkale, Tekirdağ, Sakarya, and Yalova. With approximately 120,000 settlers annually, Izmir has become the most popular in recent years.

For the first time in recent history, people are leaving Istanbul. According to TÜİK data, high numbers are migrating to nearby cities such as Çanakkale, Tekirdağ, Sakarya, and Yalova. With approximately 120,000 settlers annually, Izmir has become the most popular destination in recent years.

Istanbul forces young brains to migrate. Last year, 422,559 people left the megapolis, whilst 416,587 people arrived, meaning emigration overtook migration for the first time. According to Turkey Statistics Institute (TÜİK) date, high numbers are moving to nearby cities such as Çanakkale, Tekirdağ, Sakarya, and Yalova, and Kocaeli. The net migration rate in Tekirdağ and Yalova is over 20%. Cities like Eskisehir, Muğla, and Antalya are also amongst those picked by people who wish to start a new life.

Ever popular Izmir now has become a destination for white collars. Statistics show that qualified young people head for Izmir. İnci Holding Human Resources Director Serap Manisalı stated that although Izmir, like many other cities, had long suffered a brain drain to Istanbul, that trend has reversed in last two years. Highlighting Izmir’s new position as a centre of attraction for white collars, Manisalı continued:

‘Thousands of white collars now come to Izmir to set up a new life. This increase is one we have noted based on job applications we receive. According to TÜİK, Izmir annually takes immigration of around 120,000 from Turkey and loses 100,000. This means Izmir’s net migration rate has reached 5.8 per cent; more people come here than leave. Another point to note is white collars. According to TÜİK data, in 2017, Izmir took 36,749 incomers between the ages of 30 and 55 years. The number coming from Istanbul is more than 16,000, which represents an increase in managers over 40 seeking executive positions in Izmir. Just in the first six months of 2018, we received over 46,000 job applications at İnci Holding. Amongst these applicants, 9,000 were residents of Istanbul and 23,000 came from counties other than Izmir. Some 15,000 were women, and 3,000 are over 40. We are delighted with this intense recent interest in our company. That Izmir attracts highly-educated, well-qualified brains is a great vote of confidence for both our company and our region.