Although Bilecik is located in the Marmara Region of Turkey, it has a lower population density than other Marmara provinces. According to the latest census, there are approximately 225,000 people living in Bilecik. A large part of this population resides in the Bilecik center and district centers, while the rest live in more rural areas.
When analyzing the demographic structure of Bilecik, the age distribution of the population is an important indicator. Most of the population is in the young and middle age group, which indicates that Bilecik has a dynamic and working population. However, the tendency of the young population to migrate to big cities is especially evident when there are limitations in Bilecik in terms of education and job opportunities. This leads to a higher proportion of elderly population in rural areas, resulting in a decrease in the youth population.
In terms of ethnic diversity, Bilecik is generally dominated by the Turkish population. However, there are also people of different ethnic origins who settled in Bilecik with various waves of migration throughout history. A small community of Rumeli immigrants and those from the Balkans also add color to the cultural fabric of Bilecik.
In terms of education level, Bilecik has a similar profile with regional averages. While primary and high school education rates are high, the proportion of individuals with university level education is lower. This is often attributed to young people moving to larger cities for university education.
Finally, the family structure and socio-economic status of the population are also noteworthy within the demographic structure of Bilecik. Families are generally medium-sized and consist of individuals working in agriculture and small-scale industry. Socio-economically, the people of Bilecik are generally middle income, although lower income levels can be observed in rural areas. This results in a significant difference in living standards between urban and rural areas. Although Bilecik has a rich and diverse structure in both demographic and socio-economic terms, there are differences in terms of regional development.