The differentiated regionality of rural Türkiye: The relationship between population growth/decline trends, population sizes and spatial distribution of settlements at village/sub-village level in Türkiye

This study examines the dynamics and regional differentiation of rural areas in Türkiye, focusing on the relationship between population growth/decline trends, population sizes, and the spatial distribution of settlements at the village and sub-village/hamlet level. To this end, it uses data from the Address-Based Population Registration System (ABPRS) and Nomenclature of Territorial Units for Statistics regions level 2 (NUTS-2) to identify and analyze the rural population change trends in Türkiye's NUTS-2 regions. The study categorizes 41,944 rural settlements with populations under 5,000 into three groups based on population size: below 500 (Group 1), between 501–2,000 (Group 2), and between 2,001–5,000 (Group 3). It classifies all these settlements as "decreasing," "stable," or "increasing" in population. To visualize the relationship between these variables, the study employs Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping and discusses the factors influencing population trends.
The main findings indicate a decreasing trend in the rural population, with the highest rate of population loss occurring in settlements with populations below 500. In contrast, settlements with populations over 500 show relatively less population loss, and a significant portion of them are experiencing growth.
This research provides a detailed spatial analysis of rural population trends in Türkiye, making a significant contribution to the literature. It offers insights for policymakers to address regional disparities and support sustainable rural development.