Human Mobility Towards Turkey: A Retrospective Endeavor to Understand

Abstract

Last decade, Turkey experienced the most extensive migration raids in its history. The transition of Turkey from a migrant-sending country to a transit and target country is one of the most referenced periodization practices in the literature. However, Anatolia has a history of migration with very different experiences by its location. Human mobility is inherent to the structure of this geography, even though its quality and quantity have changed and transformed in the historical process. Therefore, it is important to understand that Turkey, which is home to the most significant number of forced migrants in the twenty-first century, is historically a country of migration. Hence, in this article that attempts to understand human mobility towards Turkey, we have focused on Turkey's changing position on the international migration scheme after summarizing the migration flows before and during the republic period to capture the holistic perspective. Based on the current research, reports, and statistical data, this article seeks a better understanding of the possibility and sustainability of social cohesion and integration in Turkey, in a global world characterized by uncertainties, risks, and pursuits.