Tens of thousands of Russian citizens living in Turkey have begun to leave the country in recent months. According to the Turkish press, the decrease in the number of Russians living in Antalya and Istanbul is particularly noteworthy.
Russians are leaving Turkey: figures and reasons
According to Turkrus, in recent months, the number of Russian citizens who have left Turkey has exceeded 50,000 people. According to data released by the Turkish Migration Office, the outflow, which began last year, reached 44 thousand in 2023. And this year, the number of relocators who left has increased, just reaching an important psychological milestone of 50 thousand.
High inflation and cost of living
High inflation in Turkey is most noticeable in the food and services sector. While outdoor dining has become a dream for many Turkish citizens, prices that were affordable for foreign citizens and tourists due to the fall in the Turkish lira exchange rate in recent years have now skyrocketed too and even surpassed the European average.
Russians living in Antalya and Istanbul
Having lost their attractiveness due to the high cost of living, Antalya and Istanbul accelerated the return of foreign citizens to their countries. This situation is expected to persist for some time, especially when tens of thousands of Russian citizens living in Antalya continue to leave Turkey.
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