Economic Contributions of International Students in Türkiye
Expenditures, Experiences, and Perceptions
This book presents a comprehensive analysis of the direct and indirect
contributions made by international students studying in Türkiye to the
Turkish economy as of the 2023/24 academic year. In recent years, the
rapid increase in international student mobility worldwide has become
a major factor affecting higher education sectors economically, socially
and culturally. Within this dynamic process, Türkiye has emerged as a
rising education destination both regionally and globally.
The study utilizes a large-scale survey conducted with 2,757 students
from 83 countries to determine the economic impacts of international
students in Türkiye. Expenditure items such as tuition fees, accommodation,
food, transportation, clothing, personal care, and social activities
were examined in detail, and the total contribution these expenditures
provide to the country’s economy was calculated together with their
foreign currency (USD) equivalents. In addition, students’ perceptions
of living costs in Türkiye, their satisfaction levels, and their social integration
experiences are given significant coverage in the book.
The findings demonstrate that Türkiye has reached an ever-increasing
economic volume year by year thanks to international students, and
that students make substantial contributions not only to the education
sector but also to services, retail, accommodation, transportation and
other related sectors. The data obtained reveal that Türkiye’s international
student policies have become a strategically important element in
economic terms and provide decision-makers with a significant roadmap.
This study serves as a fundamental reference for understanding the
multidimensional nature of international student mobility in Türkiye.
Keywords: International students; Education economics; Student expenditures;
Türkiye economy; Student experiences