Istanbul’s population outnumbers 131 countries despite decline
Istanbul’s population outnumbers 131 countries, maintaining its status as a demographic giant despite a recent decline
Despite a decrease in population, Türkiye’s most populous city, Istanbul, continues to surpass the population of 131 countries, according to the latest 2023 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TUIK) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
The city’s population decreased by 252,072, settling at 15,655,924 people, yet it still hosts more individuals than countries such as Portugal, Hungary, and Belgium. Housing 18.34% of Türkiye’s total population, Istanbul is home to 7.80 million males and 7.84 million females.
Even though the metropolitan city of Istanbul experienced a population decline last year, it remained ahead of countries like Tunisia with 12.5 million, Belgium with 11.7 million, and Hungary with 10.2 million in terms of population size.
This demographic achievement also places Istanbul ahead of countries such as Jordan, Greece and Azerbaijan.
Population of countries (Million)
- Guinea 14.2
- Rwanda 14.1
- Benin 13.7
- Burundi 13.2
- Tunisia 12.5
- Bolivia 12.4
- Belgium 11.7
- Haiti 11.7
- Dominican Republic 11.3
- Jordan 11.3
- Cuba 11.2
- South Sudan 11.1
- Honduras 10.6
- Sweden 10.6
- Czech Republic 10.5
- Azerbaijan 10.4
- Greece 10.3
- Papua New Guinea 10.3
- Hungary 10.2
- Portugal 10.2
- Tajikistan 10.1
- Belarus 9.5
- United Arab Emirates 9.5
- Israel 9.2
- Togo 9.1
- Austria 9.0
- Sierra Leone 8.8
- Switzerland 8.8
Source: Newsroom
