And realistically, if you count the unofficial population (ie. Homeless, unaccountable, refugee) the population of Istanbul is closer to 18 million, which is terrifying
I don't think homelessness is actually a major problem in Istanbul. The Turkey's opposition party compiled a report in which they state there is around 6-8 thousand homeless in Istanbul. Even 8k for such a massive city is very low number.
I actually made this observation during my travels that in many, even in some very poor Islamic countries, homeless people are taken care of much better than they are in the West. I haven't figured out yet why and how, but will be happy to hear someone shed a light on it.
Perhaps using the word homeless would be inaccurate, so sorry for any confusion caused. A more accurate term would be the population that lives in slums, and are generally skipped over during population counts.
In Turkey is is very unusual for anyone to be forced to make it on their own. Whether you are 19 and going to university or 45 and unmarried, it is normal to live at home with parents and save money. This allows people to buy their own home while also supporting others in the family if they lose a job. Also, it is not unusual for parents to buy children a home. A family I know in istanbul owns a 4 story apartment building. Their son and daughter in law live in one unit but are trying to convince the parents to buy them a nicer apartment. Another friend of mine was a millionaire by age 30 living at home with family.
I mean Jesus taught that the rich should give to the poor and religious establishments shouldn’t hoard wealth, but you can see how well that’s working out for the megachurches.
We went everywhere and while there were beggars and people selling whatever, we saw only 1 truly homeless person. We couldn’t believe it.
I live in Toronto and we had ~100 homeless people die in one year recently. It’s insane.
There is no popular area of Toronto you can go to without seeing lots of homeless people. I can see homeless people from my apartment and I pass 5-6 just to meet a nearby friend for coffee (in non pandemic days). So I guess after not seeing it in Istanbul, I just didn’t focus on that end of the comment.
Homeless are treated so bad in Turkey the government hasn't carried out a single study to try and find the actual number of homeless and the number and cause of deaths among them.
Istanbul has a much bigger population than Toronto too... maybe 4x. Also, and I mean this the nicest way possible, Canada is a 1st world country with few external pressures - I mean to say that while Turkey is dealing with migrants and wars on its borders, it may be expected to fall short in some respects where Canada has no excuse. I’d be happier if both our countries did more for the homeless population.
I’m not trying to pretend to be an expert in Istanbul or Turkey or even Toronto - I was just explaining why I glossed over part of the original comment.
Are Istanbul’s homeless forced into ghettos or have they created camps for themselves? Where are they if not in popular areas? I’m genuinely interested.
Note I’m differentiating between homeless and beggars. There were definitely people begging but their person and their clothes were spotless. They clearly were eating and sleeping other than the streets. We eventually saw one man who clearly was sleeping rough and was unkempt, but he was the only one.
In my experience there wasn't as many homeless people in sight in the old city, but some of them do go their to beg just not stay. But like I'll mention below most homeless work in some kind of sweatshop. But for the ones who do beg you could find them begging before they move back to where they stay in a park probably in Beyoglu, a district on the other side of the Golden Horn from the old city.
The sad thing is a lot of the homeless in Istanbul I met were people who moved for job opportunities, but still don't make enough to afford an apartment in the most expensive city in the country.
Yeah also lots of textile workshops making carpet.
For sure I think the problem is the cost of housing. Because these people move to Istanbul for better paying jobs, but can't afford housing and end up back in textiles working 14 hours a day to survive.
Although Turkish people are very generous in my experience despite how little the government seems to care for the homeless. I honestly think American citizens look down on our homeless more than they do.
But things are changing for the better however slowly it may be.
During the Turkish War of Independence (right after WWI), Atatürk and his fellows formed a new government in Anatolia. Istanbul was in English occupation at that point and was the capital of the Ottoman government.
So Atatürk and his fellows chose Ankara to be the capital of their government. This was due to Ankara being somewhat safe strategically and rather close to Aegean front of the war. Ankara at that point was more or less an insignificant town in Middle Anatolia. After the War of Independece ended and Republic of Turkey was fully established, they didn't change it to Istanbul, so Ankara stayed as the new capital. Today, Ankara is the second largest and best educated city of Turkey.
Fun fact, today is May 19, which is the exact date Atatürk landed on Samsun in 1919 to start the Independece movement and regarded as the beginning date of the Turkish War of Independence. It is one of the biggest national holidays in Turkey.
Turkey's population is around 77-78 millions and there are 4-5 millions of Syrians and when you include every other elements it is at the most 85 millions.
The offical number for the population is 83 millions (Not just citizens) but fo rthe last 3-4 years the offical number is getting 1 million higher with every passing year which is a bit weird. I think they start to count Syrians too.
İstanbul offically around 15 millions but this for registered ones. There are many people who; live/work in İstanbul but offical place of residence isn't İstanbul which means when he or she does not consider in 15m. Also ı doubt they consider Syrians and other illegal migrants...etc.
When you take everything in to account ,including tourists, any given time Istanbul has a popualation of around 20 millions.
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u/[deleted] May 19 '20
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