Periods of district increases shaped by population explosions and political preferences Türkiye’s Settlement Pattern and Population Dynamics (Article 2) Aydın Tiryaki (2026)

In the administrative structure of Türkiye, the “district” (ilçe) has maintained its characteristic as the most fundamental level of administration where the state connects with the citizen throughout history. The number of districts, which was around 340 at the time the Republic was proclaimed (Annex A), has reached 973 today. This numerical increase is not merely a result of natural population growth; it is also a reflection of economic transformations, the expansion of transportation networks, and, most importantly, political preferences (1).

The first major movement in the number of districts occurred in the 1950s. With the transition to a multi-party system, the impact of local demands on central politics increased, and many large villages or sub-district centers attained district status in line with economic revitalization and social expectations. However, the actual “explosion” point in the number of districts is the period after 1980. Especially between 1987 and 1995, the administrative map of Türkiye was almost redrawn. During this period, dozens of settlement units were made districts, sometimes due to rational management requirements and sometimes as a result of political promises during election periods (2).

This uncontrolled increase in the number of districts has brought along discussions regarding “administrative efficiency.” While the population of some districts approaches 1 million (such as Esenyurt and Şahinbey), the population of some districts remains at a few thousand people, creating an administrative imbalance (3). The high cost of public buildings and personnel in small districts increases the unit cost of the service provided; in massive districts, problems such as the administration becoming cumbersome and the difficulty of local inspection arise.

Although the current structure with 973 districts (Annex B) carries the claim of providing services to every corner of Türkiye, it has become a necessity to optimize administrative units not only through numerical increases but also in harmony with geographical and economic realities (4). The focus of future administrative reforms should be on redefining the authorities and responsibilities of existing units according to population scale, rather than increasing the number of districts.

Aydın Tiryaki Ankara, January 12, 2026

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ANNEXES

Annex A: Change in the Number of Districts During the Republican Era

• 1923-1924: ~340 Districts
• 1950: 440 Districts
• 1990: 830 Districts
• 2026: 973 Districts

Annex B: Provinces with the Highest and Lowest Number of Districts (2026)

• Most districts: İstanbul (39), Ankara (25), İzmir (30)
• Fewest districts: Bayburt (3), Yalova (6), Bartın (4), Ardahan (6)

REFERENCES

(1) Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Interior, General Directorate of Provincial Administration, Inventory of Civil Administrative Units. https://www.icisleri.gov.tr/illeridaresi

(2) Turkish Statistical Institute (TurkStat), Administrative Division and Population Distribution with Historical Data. https://www.tuik.gov.tr

(3) Republic of Türkiye Presidency of Strategy and Budget, Report on the Administrative and Financial Structure of Local Governments. https://www.sbb.gov.tr

(4) Provincial Administration Law No. 5442 and Related Legislation. https://www.mevzuat.gov.tr