Syrian Refugee Crisis in Turkey: Is Migration from Syria Detrimental for Turkey’s Demographic and Economic Structure?

Abstract

The main objective of this paper is to understand whether international migration is detrimental for the host country by using the example of Turkey.This paper primarily claims that refugees are beneficial for the host country Turkey, as they stimulate the economy while integrating into the society they live in and taking the jobs that native people are not enthusiastic about doing. As a result, they are easing the burden on the insurance system. From a demographic and a sociological perspective, they are increasing the rate of population in territories of Turkey where the fertility rate has declined. However, some economists and sociologists argue those claims with some counterarguments, which this paper is refuting. They claim that refugees have a terrible influence on Turkey’s economy and the country’s well-being by overburdening schools and healthcare facilities, boosting crime rates, spreading disease, and heating wage competition.