Karaman is one of Turkey's smaller and more homogeneously populated provinces in terms of demographics. As of 2020, it has a population of around 250,000. The majority of the province's population is Turkish, with a small number of Kurds and people of other ethnicities also living in Karaman. The majority of the population is Muslim, and people living in the city generally adhere to the values of traditional Anatolian culture.
In terms of population distribution, Karaman has a balanced population structure, especially in the central district, but also in the surrounding districts and villages. However, due to the concentration of economic opportunities mostly in the city center, there is a tendency towards migration from rural areas to the city center. This situation is more pronounced especially among the young population, causing young people seeking education and job opportunities to flock to the city center.
The level of education follows a course parallel to Turkey's average and schooling rates at primary and secondary education level are high in the province. However, the presence of a university at the higher education level has increased the educational opportunities in this field and encouraged the flow of students from outside Karaman. This situation revitalizes the socio-cultural structure and economy of the city, especially during academic periods.
The demographic structure of Karaman also draws attention with the proportion of the elderly population. The aging trend in Turkey is also seen in Karaman, which increases the need for health and social services. The high proportion of elderly population requires local governments to make special plans in health, transportation and social support services.
As a result, the demographic structure of Karaman has a structure in which traditional cultural values are preserved, the level of education is gradually increasing and population mobility is directly related to economic opportunities. Dynamics such as migration from rural areas to the city, expansion of educational opportunities and increase in the elderly population are among the main factors shaping the social and economic development of Karaman.