Istanbul, Turkey
Megacity · Population 15.7M
Istanbul is the largest city in Turkey with a population of approximately 15,701,602 people as of 2026. This makes it the 6th largest city in the world, accounting for 18.33% of Turkey's total population of 85.7M. Istanbul is classified as a megacity and operates in the Europe/Istanbul timezone. The average annual temperature is 16.1°C with 723 mm of rainfall per year. The city sits at an elevation of 32 meters above sea level.
Population
15,701,602
Global Rank
#6
Country Rank
#1
% of Turkey
18.33%
Avg Temperature
16.1°C
Annual Rainfall
723 mm
Elevation
32 m
Timezone
Europe/Istanbul
Istanbul on the Map
Climate in Istanbul
Istanbul's warmest month is Jul and the coldest is Jan. The wettest month is Dec with 162 mm of rainfall.
Average Monthly Temperature
Monthly Rainfall
Turkey at a Glance
Country Population
85,664,944
Capital
Ankara
Region
Western Asia
Major Cities
106
GDP per Capita
$15,893
Life Expectancy
77.2 years
Urban Population
89.3%
Growth Rate
0.01%
Other Major Cities in Turkey
Nearest Major Cities
Closest cities to Istanbul with over 100,000 people
| City | Population | Distance |
|---|---|---|
| Zeytinburnu | 288,743 | 4 km |
| Üsküdar | 524,452 | 5 km |
| Şişli | 314,684 | 6 km |
| Esenler | 520,235 | 7 km |
| Bahçelievler | 576,799 | 8 km |
| Bağcılar | 749,024 | 8 km |
| Sultangazi | 436,935 | 12 km |
| Ataşehir | 361,615 | 14 km |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Istanbul?
The population of Istanbul, Turkey is approximately 15,701,602 people, making it the 6th largest city in the world and the 1st largest in Turkey.
Is Istanbul the capital of Turkey?
No, the capital of Turkey is Ankara. Istanbul is the 1st largest city in the country.
What is the climate like in Istanbul?
Istanbul has an average annual temperature of 16.1°C and receives 723 mm of rainfall per year. The warmest month is Jul and the coldest is Jan.
What timezone is Istanbul in?
Istanbul is in the Europe/Istanbul timezone.