Origins & History
The Turkish people are a Turkic ethnic group native to Anatolia and adjacent regions. Their ancestors migrated westward from Central Asia beginning in the 11th century CE, culminating in the establishment of the Ottoman Empire (1299–1922), which became one of the great powers of Europe and the Middle East. Modern Turkish identity coalesced with the founding of the Republic of Turkey in 1923.
Geographic Distribution
There are approximately 80 million ethnic Turks worldwide, the majority living in Turkey where they form around 70 to 75 percent of the population. Significant Turkish populations also live in Cyprus (particularly Northern Cyprus), Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia, and other Balkan countries where Ottoman-era communities remain.
Diaspora & Migration
The Turkish diaspora, particularly in Western Europe, is one of the largest in the world. Germany hosts around 3 million people of Turkish descent, largely descended from labor migrants recruited in the 1960s and 1970s. Other major communities live in France, the Netherlands, Austria, Belgium, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
About This Map
This map reflects global perceptions of Turkish populations. The concentration of votes may highlight both Turkey itself and countries with visible Turkish immigrant communities.
The map above shows crowd opinion, not official demographic data. Vote on the main map to contribute your own perception of where Turks populations live.