Top Source Countries for International Students in Türkiye (2023–2024)

Short excerpt 

In 2023–2024, Türkiye hosted 336,366 international students. Ten countries – led by Syria, Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan – account for a large share of this total and shape the priorities of Turkish universities.

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International students are now a core part of Türkiye’s higher education landscape. According to recent data, the country hosted 336,366 international students in 2023–2024, making it one of the world’s top 10 destinations.

The top 10 source countries are:

1. Syria – 60,750 students

2. Azerbaijan – 40,354

3. Turkmenistan – 29,126

4. Iran – 28,924

5. Iraq – 13,153

6. Kazakhstan – 11,958

7. Egypt – 10,695

8. Afghanistan – 9,149

9. Somalia – 8,872

10. Yemen – 7,927

More than half of all international students come from just a few of these countries. This has three important implications:

• Risk concentration – A policy change in one country’s recognition list can suddenly affect thousands of students.

• Market dependence – Universities may rely too heavily on a small number of markets for tuition income.

• Opportunity for diversification – New markets such as Uzbekistan, Pakistan, Nigeria and Algeria offer room for growth.

For policymakers, this data helps answer key questions:

• Which embassies should be prioritised for dialogue on recognition and visas?

• Where should promotion and scholarship efforts focus?

• How can Türkiye balance growth with diversification and quality?

For universities, understanding the top source countries is the first step towards a more resilient and strategic internationalisation plan.