Istanbul Population 2026
Istanbul has a population of 15,701,602, making it the #1 biggest city in 🇹🇷 Türkiye, located in Istanbul. Roughly 18% of Türkiye's population lives here.
Population (city proper)
15,701,602
Rank in Türkiye
#1
Coordinates
41.01°N, 28.95°E
~39 m elevation · Europe/Istanbul
Distance to capital (Ankara)
352 km
219 miles, straight line
Other big cities in Istanbul
| City | Population | Rank in Türkiye |
|---|---|---|
| Esenyurt | 983,571 | #11 |
| Küçükçekmece | 792,030 | #14 |
| Bağcılar | 740,069 | #17 |
| Bahçelievler | 576,799 | #18 |
| Umraniye | 573,265 | #19 |
| Üsküdar | 524,452 | #23 |
| Esenler | 520,235 | #24 |
| Sancaktepe | 489,848 | #25 |
Cities near Istanbul
- Üsküdar524,452 people · ~5 km away
- Şişli314,684 people · ~6 km away
- Esenler520,235 people · ~7 km away
- Bahçelievler576,799 people · ~8 km away
- Bağcılar740,069 people · ~8 km away
- Sultangazi436,935 people · ~12 km away
FAQ
What is the population of Istanbul?
Istanbul has a population of 15,701,602 (city proper, latest official figure via GeoNames), making it the #1 biggest city in Türkiye.
What region is Istanbul in?
Istanbul is located in Istanbul, Türkiye.
Is Istanbul the capital of Türkiye?
No, the capital of Türkiye is Ankara, about 352 km away.
Sources & notes
Population refers to the city proper (municipal boundaries), not the metropolitan area. Source: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0), retrieved 2026-07-07. Country data: UN World Population Prospects 2024.
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