Ardahan is one of the least densely populated provinces in Turkey, which is due to the relatively small number of people living in the province despite its large geographical area. As of 2020, the total population of Ardahan is around 100,000, but this number has been on a declining trend in recent years. This demographic change is particularly related to the migration of the young population to larger cities in pursuit of economic opportunities.
Ardahan's population structure is ethnically diverse; in addition to Turks, Kurds, Azerbaijani Turks and a small number of Georgians live in this region. These ethnic groups enrich the cultural structure of the city and it is possible to observe this diversity especially in areas such as food culture, traditional handicrafts and language.
The age distribution of the city is broadly similar to other rural areas in Turkey, with an increasing proportion of the elderly population as young people migrate out of the city. This demographic structure has significant impacts on the local economy and social services. In particular, health and care services require more resources to respond to the needs of the older population.
Ardahan faces some challenges in terms of education level. Educational opportunities are limited in the province and especially for higher education. This situation causes young people in the region to migrate to other cities for education. However, efforts by the state and various civil society organizations to strengthen the educational infrastructure are ongoing.
Social life in Ardahan is generally shaped around traditional values and community relations. Interpersonal relations are strong and neighborhood and family ties are at the forefront. This enables the community to support each other, especially during the harsh winter months. Festivals, weddings, holidays and other community events play a central role in the social life of the city and help to transmit cultural values between different generations.