Baghdad – Iraqis leaving Türkiye reached the highest level among foreign nationals in 2025, according to newly released figures from the Turkish Statistical Institute. The latest data highlights changing migration trends as more people entered the country while fewer residents chose to leave overall.
Official statistics show that 393,829 people immigrated to Türkiye during 2025. The figure represents a 25.2% increase compared with the previous year. Foreign nationals accounted for 301,877 of the new arrivals, while 91,952 were Turkish citizens returning or relocating to the country.
During the same period, 403,216 people left Türkiye. That total marked a 5% decline from the previous year. Among those departing, 248,097 were foreign nationals and 155,119 were Turkish citizens.
The report found that Iraqis leaving Türkiye represented the largest share of foreign departures. Iraqi nationals accounted for 15.7% of all foreign citizens who left the country during 2025. Afghans ranked second with 11.2%, followed by Russians at 7.6%.
Iranian nationals made up 6.3% of foreign departures, while Turkmen citizens represented 5.7%. The figures reflect continued changes in regional migration as economic, political, and social conditions influence movement across neighboring countries.
Meanwhile, Türkiye continued to record strong immigration growth throughout the year. Turkmen nationals formed the largest group among new foreign arrivals, accounting for 23.4% of total foreign immigration. Azerbaijani citizens followed with 8.3%, while Uzbeks represented 6.9%.
Egyptians accounted for 6.1% of foreign immigrants entering Türkiye in 2025. Afghan nationals completed the top five, representing 5.8% of all foreign arrivals. The data illustrates Türkiye’s ongoing role as a major destination for migrants from across the Middle East and Central Asia.
Turkish authorities also released updated figures on Syrian refugee returns. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi said more than 1.434 million Syrians have voluntarily returned to Syria since 2016. He added that approximately 578,000 of those returns occurred after the collapse of the former Syrian government on December 8, 2024.
Despite those returns, Türkiye continues to host a large Syrian population. According to the Interior Ministry, more than two million Syrians remain in the country under temporary protection programs. Officials continue to monitor migration flows while managing humanitarian and border policies.
Migration experts note that several factors influence movement into and out of Türkiye. Employment opportunities, economic conditions, regional security, and government immigration policies all play important roles. Changes in neighboring countries also affect migration decisions for many foreign nationals.
The latest statistics suggest that migration patterns remain dynamic across the region. While immigration increased significantly during 2025, emigration declined slightly compared with the previous year. The figures also show that Iraqis leaving Türkiye remained the largest foreign group departing the country, reflecting broader regional migration trends that continue to evolve.