Military Personnel as a Percentage of Population in Turkey, 1987-2016

Turkey’s military personnel as a percentage of population saw a notable decline from 1.7% in 1987 to 0.6% in 2016, influenced by urbanization and changing security dynamics. The decline from 1.7% to around 1.3% during the 1990s reflects Turkey’s shift towards modernization, focusing on a more technologically advanced military. Urbanization during this period attracted young individuals to urban job markets, indirectly impacting military recruitment.

In the early 2000s, the percentage continued its decline as Turkey reformed its defense strategy, aligning its military size with economic goals and regional security dynamics. Urbanization further contributed to this trend, with fewer rural areas traditionally supplying conscripts. By 2016, the rate reached 0.6%, indicating Turkey’s commitment to a streamlined and urban-aligned defense force.