Çankırı is known as one of the smaller provinces in terms of population, located in the Central Anatolia Region of Turkey. As of 2020, the total population of Çankırı is around 190,000. Most of the population lives in the central district of Çankırı, while the rest is scattered in the surrounding districts and villages. The proportion of rural population in Çankırı's demographic structure is higher than in the city center, indicating the region's dependence on traditional agriculture and animal husbandry activities.
When the age structure of the population is analyzed, it is seen that it has a young population structure similar to the general demography of Turkey. However, the tendency of the young population to migrate to big cities in search of job opportunities causes the average age of Çankırı to increase and the proportion of young population to decrease. This migration trend is more evident especially among the educated youth.
In terms of education level, Çankırı offers access to primary and high school level education, while higher education opportunities are limited. This leads young people to move to other provinces for university education. Considering the socio-economic structure of Çankırı, the income level is generally below the Turkey average, which brings economic difficulties for those living in rural areas.
In terms of its cultural structure, Çankırı consists of close-knit communities with a structure that reflects the traditional culture of Anatolia. The family structure generally remains as a large and extended family, and family ties and traditions have an important place in society. Social events such as weddings, festivals and special days are important times when people come together and mingle, and cultural values and traditions are passed down from generation to generation.
These demographic characteristics are among the main factors shaping the social structure of Çankırı and the daily life of the locals. While the small and community-oriented nature of the city offers ideal conditions for those who want to lead a quiet and peaceful life, it is limited in terms of job and educational opportunities. This can pose various challenges, especially for young people and educated individuals.