The European Turks – the EU’s 16th Member State

Abstract:

Within the borders of the European Union the Turkish population forms a considerable size which needs to be taken into account when looking at certain issues. According to the figures for 2002, there are currently 3.767 million Turks (including those who are naturalised) living within the EU borders. Although in recent years there has been a fall in the number, the population shows an above average number of births and marriages (including marriage of spouses from Turkey), so the Turks form a significant young population. Those Turks living within the EU borders have shown an increasing preference to take on the citizenship of the country they are resident in. This is also evident in the statistics where the number of Turks is actually going down rather then up.

This study highlights the latest developments between Turkey and the EU with particular focus on the Turks living within the EU borders and why their role for integration should not be overlooked.