Russian population in Turkey significantly decreases by almost half since the year 2023
In the wake of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, a significant shift in migration patterns has been observed, with Turkey no longer being a top destination for Russian expats.
According to recent data, the number of Russians in Turkey has dropped dramatically, from approximately 154,000 in 2023 to around 85,000 in 2025. This decline is attributed to a combination of economic pressures and tightening visa renewal procedures.
Turkey's high inflation rate, currently standing at 33.52%, and a more than 30% increase in housing prices have made living in the country increasingly expensive. Additionally, many Russians, even long-term residents, have faced challenges in renewing their residency permits, despite owning property or having lived in Turkey for several years.
Ankara has also imposed restrictions, such as closures of certain districts to foreign property purchases and rentals, increased taxes on foreigners, and stricter migration controls. These factors have contributed to a steady outflow of Russians from Turkey, a trend that began after it was initially a popular destination following the Ukraine invasion.
As a result, some Russians have chosen to relocate to other countries, such as Serbia, Portugal, Spain, and Georgia. Interestingly, Kazakhstan and Serbia have each taken in around 150,000 Russians, while Armenia has welcomed 100,000.
The total number of residence permits in Turkey has also seen a decline since 2022, with the figure falling from 1.35 million that year to 1.1 million. The monthly living cost for a single employee in Turkey has risen to ₺33,982 ($834), and the number of Russian citizens permanently residing in Turkey has decreased by 44.8% since 2023.
This shift in migration patterns underscores the complex and dynamic nature of global migration, with economic factors and government policies playing crucial roles in determining the destination choices of migrants. As these trends continue to evolve, it will be interesting to see how they impact both the countries of origin and destination.
[1] Source: BBC News (2023) - "Russia-Ukraine War: Where Are Refugees Going?" [2] Source: Reuters (2024) - "Turkey to Stop Issuing Tourist Residence Permits" [3] Source: The Guardian (2025) - "Russian Migration to Turkey Slows Amid Economic Pressures"
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