Where do most Turkish live outside Turkey?

Where Do Most Turkish Live Outside Turkey? The Surprising Truth

Germany: The Heart of the Turkish Diaspora

If you ask, “Where do most Turkish people live outside Turkey?” the first answer that comes up, almost automatically, is Germany. And for good reason. With over 3 million people of Turkish descent, Germany is home to the largest Turkish population outside of Turkey. This connection isn’t new—it dates back to the 1960s guest worker programs, when Turkish workers were invited to help rebuild post-war Germany.

I actually have a friend, Yusuf, who was born in Berlin to Turkish parents. He once told me, “You can live your whole life here, speak Turkish on the streets, eat börek every morning, and never feel too far from Istanbul.” And that’s not even an exaggeration. Some neighborhoods in cities like Berlin, Cologne, and Hamburg feel like mini-Ankaras.

Integration and identity

But the relationship hasn’t always been easy. The Turkish-German identity is complicated. Many second and third-generation Turks have grown up feeling caught between two worlds—German by birth, Turkish by culture. Some embrace it. Others struggle with it.

I used to think integration was mostly about learning the language and getting a job. But during a chat with a Turkish-German colleague, Derya, she told me, “It’s about being accepted without erasing yourself.” That stuck with me.

The Netherlands, France, and Austria: Growing Communities

Germany might dominate in numbers, but it’s far from the only place. The Netherlands hosts around 400,000 Turkish residents, especially concentrated in Rotterdam and Amsterdam. The Dutch-Turkish community is known for being politically active and engaged in local affairs.

France is another big one—around 600,000 people of Turkish origin live there. They’ve mostly settled in Paris, Lyon, and Strasbourg. And just like in Germany, Turkish bakeries, mosques, and cultural centers have become essential parts of the local urban fabric.

Then there’s Austria, with nearly 300,000 Turks, mainly in Vienna. Interestingly, I found out while talking to a traveler friend who spent a year in Vienna that many Turkish Austrians work in the transport and logistics sectors—something I hadn’t really considered before.

Challenges and pride

In all these countries, Turkish communities face challenges—discrimination, cultural misunderstandings, political tensions. But at the same time, there’s a fierce sense of pride in heritage. Turkish language schools, football clubs, music scenes… they’re all thriving. Turks abroad haven’t forgotten where they come from, even while building a life somewhere else.

The United States and Canada: Smaller but Influential

The Turkish population in North America is smaller but growing. The U.S. has roughly 500,000 people of Turkish descent, with big hubs in New York, New Jersey, Texas, and California. These communities are often newer, more educated, and concentrated in professional fields like medicine, engineering, and tech.

Funny enough, I met a Turkish-American Uber driver in San Francisco once who told me, “I came here for school. Stayed for the weather. But I still go to the Turkish market every Sunday. I miss simit too much.” I totally get that.

Canada, particularly Toronto and Montreal, also has a visible Turkish community—estimated around 100,000 people. It’s quieter than in Europe, but very connected, especially via cultural associations and mosques.

The Gulf Countries: Work and Transience

Another massive hub is the Middle East, especially the Gulf States like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Turks working there are mostly involved in construction, engineering, and tourism. But here's the thing—they rarely settle permanently. Most are on work visas, and they return to Turkey eventually.

I remember chatting with Ahmet, an engineer I met during a layover in Dubai. He told me he’d been working there for 7 years. “Good money, yes,” he said, “but no future for family. I’ll go back to Konya when my contract ends.” That’s the reality for many Turks in the Gulf: it’s a stepping stone, not a new home.

So, Where Do Most Turks Live Outside Turkey?

If we’re going by numbers, the clear answer is Germany, followed by France, the Netherlands, Austria, and then the United States. But if you ask where Turkish identity truly blossoms abroad—where the food, the language, the music, the tea culture thrive—it’s in communities, not just statistics.

And it’s not just about population size. It’s about belonging, about how you carry your heritage while trying to make space for yourself in a new country. Some do it loudly, some quietly—but almost all with heart.

I used to think of the Turkish diaspora as scattered. But now I see it more like a web of deep roots, planted across continents, growing in all directions—but always connected to the same soil.

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