Our Region
The TRC1 Region, located in the Southeastern Anatolia Region of Turkey, comprises the provinces of Gaziantep, Adıyaman, and Kilis. The region consists of a total of 22 districts, including central districts, with Gaziantep and Adıyaman each having 9 districts and Kilis having 4. Covering an area of 15,411 square kilometers, the region accounts for approximately 2% of Turkey’s total surface area.
Situated within the cradle of early civilizations—Mesopotamia—the TRC1 Region enjoys numerous advantages stemming from its historical geography. In addition to its rich historical and cultural heritage, its strategic location on the historic Silk Road and its position as Turkey’s gateway to the Middle East and Africa further enhance the region’s significance.
According to the 2024 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute’s Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS), the total population of the TRC1 Region is approximately 2.96 million, accounting for 3.4% of Turkey’s total population. The region’s annual population growth rate is 12.5 per thousand, significantly higher than the national average of 3.4 per thousand. Among the provinces in the region, Gaziantep has the highest growth rate at 13.4 per thousand, followed by Adıyaman at 9.97 and Kilis at 10 per thousand.
In terms of population density, the TRC1 Region has 189 people per square kilometer, compared to the national average of 111. Gaziantep stands out with a population density of 325 people/km², exceeding both the regional and national averages. Adıyaman and Kilis, on the other hand, have densities of 82 and 111 people/km², respectively.
When examining demographic indicators, the youth population (aged 15–24) constitutes 506,000 individuals, representing 17% of the region’s population. The child dependency ratio is 44.3%, which is significantly above the national average of 30.5%, indicating a population structure dominated by younger age groups. The elderly dependency ratio is 10.5%, which remains below the national average of 15.5%.
The average household size in the TRC1 Region is 3.68, higher than the national average of 3.11. Among the provinces, Gaziantep has the highest figure with 3.73, followed by Adıyaman at 3.60 and Kilis at 3.29.
Population Statistics of Turkey and the TRC1 Region
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Gaziantep | Adıyaman | Kilis | |
| Total Population | 85.664.944 | 2.961.139 | 2.193.363 | 611.037 | 156.739 |
| Annual Population Growth Rate (%) | 3,42 | 12,52 | 13,42 | 9,97 | 10 |
| Population Density (people/km²) | 111 | 189 | 325 | 82 | 111 |
| Youth Population (15–24 years) | 12.763.159 | 506.181 | 379.683 | 97.597 | 28.901 |
| Total Number of Households | 26.599.261 | 787.525 | 575.598 | 167.215 | 44.712 |
| Average Household Size | 3,11 | 3,68 | 3,73 | 3,6 | 3,29 |
| Child Dependency Ratio (%) | 30,58 | 44,38 | 45,47 | 41,43 | 40,68 |
| Elderly Dependency Ratio (%) | 15,54 | 10,54 | 9,46 | 13,9 | 12,44 |
While the national literacy rate in Turkey stands at 97.64%, the rates in the provinces of Gaziantep and Kilis are similarly high, at 97.36% and 97.68% respectively. In contrast, the literacy rate in Adıyaman is lower at 95.21%, with the rate among women being particularly low at 91.75%, falling below the national average.
According to 2023 data from TURKSTAT, there are a total of 1,817 primary and secondary schools in the TRC1 Region, with 587,464 students and 30,932 teachers engaged in education. In terms of student-to-classroom ratios in primary education, Gaziantep and Kilis exceed the national average of 23 students per classroom, while Adıyaman has a lower ratio of 21. Regarding the student-to-teacher ratio, Gaziantep (21) and Kilis (18) are above the national average of 16, whereas Adıyaman (14) remains below it.
Education Statistics – Turkey and TRC1 Region
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Schools | 44,095 | 1,817 | 618 | 1,044 | 155 |
| Number of Students | 10,959,182 | 587,464 | 94,747 | 454,843 | 37,874 |
| Number of Teachers | 686,839 | 30,932 | 6,891 | 21,978 | 2,063 |
| Students per Classroom | 23 | 27 | 21 | 32 | 27 |
| Students per Teacher | 16 | 18 | 14 | 21 | 18 |
According to 2023 data from TURKSTAT, secondary education in the TRC1 Region is provided through a total of 464 schools, with 274,935 students and 15,493 teachers. In the provinces of the region, the number of students per classroom in secondary education exceeds the national average of 22 students. The student-to-teacher ratio, on the other hand, is close to the national average.
Secondary Education Statistics – Turkey and TRC1 Region
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Schools | 12,506 | 464 | 119 | 312 | 33 |
| Number of Students | 5,796,881 | 274,935 | 50,551 | 207,457 | 16,927 |
| Number of Teachers | 397,99 | 15,493 | 3,492 | 11,005 | 996 |
| Students per Classroom | 22 | 28 | 23 | 27 | 32 |
| Students per Teacher | 12 | 15 | 12 | 16 | 15 |
Source: TURKSTAT, 2023
There are a total of 6 universities in the TRC1 Region, including 4 public and 2 foundation (private non-profit) universities. Among these, 2 public and 2 foundation universities are located in Gaziantep, while Adıyaman and Kilis each have one public university. According to 2023–2024 data from the Council of Higher Education (YÖK), a total of 91,268 students and 3,694 academic staff are enrolled in these universities in the TRC1 Region.
Higher Education Statistics of the TRC1 Region
| University | Type | Province | Number of Students | Number of Academic Staff |
| Adıyaman University | Public | Adıyaman | 16,111 | 889 |
| Gaziantep Islamic Science and Technology University | Public | Gaziantep | 4,356 | 186 |
| Gaziantep University | Public | Gaziantep | 48,354 | 1,735 |
| Hasan Kalyoncu University | Foundation | Gaziantep | 7,864 | 261 |
| Kilis 7 Aralık University | Public | Kilis | 12,838 | 468 |
| Sanko University | Foundation | Gaziantep | 1,745 | 155 |
| TOTAL | 91,268 | 3,694 |
There are a total of 48 hospitals in the TRC1 Region, with 34 located in Gaziantep, 12 in Adıyaman, and 2 in Kilis. In terms of sectoral distribution, Adıyaman has 10 Ministry of Health hospitals and 2 private hospitals; Gaziantep hosts 13 Ministry of Health hospitals, 20 private hospitals, and 1 university hospital; while Kilis has 2 Ministry of Health hospitals.
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Hospitals | 1.566 | 48 | 12 | 34 | 2 |
| Number of Hospital Beds | 266.594 | 10.481 | 1.146 | 8.905 | 430 |
| Beds per 10,000 People | 31,2 | - | 18,9 | 41,1 | 27,7 |
| Number of Intensive Care Beds | 48.966 | - | 237 | 1.978 | 80 |
| Intensive Care Unit (ICU) Beds per 10,000 People | 5,7 | - | 3,9 | 9,1 | 5,2 |
Source: Ministry of Health – Health Statistics Yearbook, 2023
Human Resources in Health
| Profession | Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis |
| Total Number of Physicians | 204,223 | 5,282 | 1,019 | 3,961 | 302 |
| Total Number of Dentists | 45,718 | 1,036 | 213 | 754 | 69 |
| Pharmacists | 40,61 | 1,242 | 235 | 932 | 75 |
| Nurses | 248,287 | 8,385 | 1,888 | 5,789 | 708 |
| Midwives | 59,75 | 2,247 | 677 | 1,344 | 226 |
| Other Healthcare Personnel | 266,217 | 7,777 | 1,993 | 5,158 | 626 |
Source: Ministry of Health – Health Statistics Yearbook, 2023
Located at the intersection of Mesopotamia and the Mediterranean Region, the TRC1 Region has historically been a crossroads of various civilizations, cultures, and beliefs. Traversed by the historic Silk Road, the region has maintained its identity as a center of culture and commerce from past to present. In this geography, where the earliest civilizations emerged, remnants of ancient settlements have survived to the present day, and religious, commercial, and social structures have continued to function throughout history. Moreover, the region keeps its cultural heritage alive through traditional handicrafts.
According to 2024 data from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, there are 655 registered archaeological sites in the TRC1 Region, 649 of which are classified as archaeological sites. In terms of site concentration, Gaziantep and Adıyaman stand out among the provinces.
According to the 2023 cultural statistics from TURKSTAT, there are a total of 30 libraries in the TRC1 Region, housing 510,383 books. The 60 cinema halls operating in the region hosted 502,328 viewers, while 7 theater halls welcomed a total audience of 44,639.
TRC1 Region – Cultural Statistics
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Public Libraries | 1,295 | 30 | 12 | 14 | 4 |
| Number of Books in Public Libraries | 24,204,501 | 510,383 | 196,542 | 245,893 | 67,948 |
| Number of Users in Public Libraries | 33,561,919 | 698,464 | 353,63 | 218,307 | 126,527 |
| Number of Theatre Halls | 808 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| Number of Theatre Attendees | 6,279,512 | 44,639 | 0 | 43,339 | 1,3 |
| Number of Theatre Performances | 27,399 | 136 | 0 | 131 | 5 |
| Number of Cinema Halls | 2,618 | 60 | 19 | 37 | 4 |
| Number of Cinema Attendees | 31,005,844 | 502,328 | 38,009 | 451,192 | 13,127 |
Source: TURKSAT, 2023
According to end-of-year 2024 statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a total of 1,139,985 guests stayed at ministry-certified tourism facilities in the TRC1 Region, resulting in 1,711,440 overnight stays. The average length of stay in the region's provinces remained below the national average of 2.6 days. Additionally, the occupancy rates of tourism facilities in the region were lower than the national average of 51.91%.
TRC1 Region – Tourism Statistics
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Arrivals at Facilities | 83.243.556 | 1.139.985 | 110.266 | 1.014.366 | 15.353 |
| Number of Overnight Stays | 216.017.715 | 1.711.444 | 172.484 | 1.512.874 | 26.086 |
| Average Length of Stay (days) | 2,6 | - | 1,56 | 1,49 | 1,7 |
| Occupancy Rate (%) | 51,91 | - | 28,45 | 37,71 | 36,88 |
Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Accommodation Statistics of Ministry-Certified Facilities, 2024
According to end-of-year 2022 statistics from the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a total of 242,268 guests stayed in municipality-certified tourism facilities located in the TRC1 Region, resulting in 351,192 overnight stays. The average length of stay in the region’s provinces remained below the national average of 2.3 days. In terms of occupancy rates, Adıyaman and Kilis were close to the national average of 45.58%, while Gaziantep stood out with a notably higher rate of 63.37%.
TRC1 Region – Tourism Statistics
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Arrivals at Facilities | 24.588.517 | 242.268 | 66.432 | 154.685 | 21.151 |
| Number of Overnight Stays | 56.620.054 | 351.192 | 118.553 | 189.482 | 43.157 |
| Average Length of Stay (days) | 2,3 | - | 1,78 | 1,22 | 2,12 |
| Occupancy Rate (%) | 45,58 | - | 45,03 | 63,37 | 46,16 |
While there are 7,089 ministry-certified accommodation facilities across Turkey, this number is 86 in the TRC1 Region. The region has a total capacity of 5,763 rooms and 11,561 beds, with Gaziantep having the highest capacity. In contrast, the number of facilities, rooms, and beds in Adıyaman and Kilis remains well below the regional average.
TRC1 Region – Ministry-Certified Accommodation Facilities
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Number of Facilities | 7,089 | 86 | 11 | 73 | 2 |
| Number of Rooms | 566,267 | 5,763 | 790 | 4,919 | 54 |
| Number of Beds | 1,187,400 | 11,561 | 1,579 | 9,882 | 100 |
Source: Ministry of Culture and Tourism, Statistics on Ministry-Certified Facilities, 2025
According to 2024 data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), the total cultivated agricultural land in the TRC1 Region amounts to 340,824 hectares. In 2024, the region produced 1,934,132 tons of cereals and other field crops, along with 1,238 tons of greenhouse-grown vegetables and fruits.
Regarding livestock numbers in the TRC1 Region, there are a total of 1,283,368 small ruminantsand 307,570 large ruminants.
Agriculture and Livestock Statistics in the TRC1 Region
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Total Cultivated Agricultural Land (ha) | 20,201,112 | 340,824 | 169,025 | 126,54 | 45,259 |
| Greenhouse Vegetable and Fruit Production (tons) | 8,984,760 | 1,238 | 1,178 | – | 60 |
| Cereal and Other Field Crops Production (tons) | 144,101,299 | 1,934,132 | 652,17 | 1,041,179 | 240,783 |
| Number of Large Ruminants (Head) | 16,986,259 | 307,57 | 104,515 | 189,628 | 13,427 |
| Number of Small Ruminants (Head) | 54,902,668 | 1,283,368 | 270,452 | 849,402 | 163,514 |
Source: TURKSAT, 2024
According to data from OSBÜK (the Supreme Organization of Organized Industrial Zones) as of April 2025, detailed information regarding the organized industrial zones (OIZs) located in the TRC1 Region is provided in the table below. It is observed that the majority of industrial parcels in the region have already been allocated.
One of the prominent zones in the region is the Kilis Polateli Şahinbey OIZ, which stands out due to its land area and strategic location. This industrial zone is considered to have significant potential for attracting large-scale industrial investments.
Organized Industrial Zone Statistics – TRC1 Region
| Organized Industrial Zone (OIZ) | OIZ Area (ha) | Total Industrial Parcels | Allocated Parcels | Parcels to be Allocated | Parcels in Production | Parcels Under Construction |
| Adıyaman OIZ | 355.50 | 178 | 172 | 6 | 153 | 7 |
| Adıyaman Gölbaşı OIZ | 110.18 | 21 | 17 | 4 | 6 | 7 |
| Adıyaman Kahta OIZ | 160.50 | 124 | 124 | 0 | 55 | 5 |
| Adıyaman Besni OIZ | 487.80 | 43 | 33 | 10 | 15 | 8 |
| Gaziantep OIZ | 5468.50 | 1487 | 1475 | 12 | 1245 | 60 |
| Gaziantep Besi TDI OIZ | 450.00 | 601 | 458 | 143 | 454 | 4 |
| Gaziantep Oğuzeli OIZ | 266.00 | 235 | 179 | 56 | 159 | 11 |
| Gaziantep Islahiye OIZ | 118.70 | 45 | 45 | 0 | 13 | 18 |
| Gaziantep Nizip OIZ | 438.98 | 92 | 92 | 0 | 38 | 34 |
| Kilis OIZ | 384.70 | 99 | 97 | 2 | 75 | 20 |
| Kilis Polateli-Şahinbey OIZ | 1303.40 | 110 | 57 | 53 | 1 | 2 |
Source: OSBÜK, April 2025
According to 2024 data from TÜİK (Turkish Statistical Institute), the total exports of the TRC1 Region amount to approximately 10 billion USD. A significant portion of this export volume is generated by the province of Gaziantep. The region's total imports exceed 6.8 billion USD. In this context, it is observed that the TRC1 Region’s foreign trade volume reflects a trade surplus, with exports surpassing imports.
Export and Import Statistics – TRC1 Region
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| Exports (thousand USD) | 237,505,323 | 9,826,571 | 47,258 | 9,689,492 | 89,821 |
| Imports (thousand USD) | 321,407,757 | 6,894,081 | 32,709 | 6,809,995 | 51,377 |
Source: TURKSAT, 2024
According to 2023 data from TURKSAT (Turkish Statistical Institute), the per capita Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in Turkey was recorded as 13,243 USD. In the provinces of the TRC1 Region, however, the per capita GDP remains below the national average.
National Accounts of the TRC1 Region
| Turkey | TRC1 Region | Adıyaman | Gaziantep | Kilis | |
| GDP per Capita (USD) | 13,243 | 9,132 | 6,564 | 9,88 | 8,978 |
| GDP per Capita (TRY) | 311,11 | 214,522 | 154,203 | 232,1 | 210,9 |
Source: TURKSAT, 2023
Located at the intersection of the Mediterranean and Southeastern Anatolia Regions, Gaziantep is bordered by Şanlıurfa to the east, Osmaniye and Hatay to the west, Kahramanmaraş to the north, Syria to the south, Adıyaman to the northeast, and Kilis to the southwest. With a surface area of 6,803 km², the province covers approximately 1% of Turkey’s total land area.
As one of Türkiye’s most prominent cities, Gaziantep ranks among the leading provinces in terms of industrial capacity and development. The city holds a significant position in Türkiye’s industrial production and trade. Throughout history, Gaziantep has served as a key center for numerous states that ruled over or emerged in Anatolia.
Located in the western part of the Southeastern Anatolia Region, Adıyaman is the 42nd largest province in Turkey with a surface area of 7,337 km² and an elevation of 669 meters. For centuries, the city has been situated along the Silk Road, one of the most important routes for trade and cultural exchange.
A significant portion of the Atatürk Dam Reservoir lies within the borders of Adıyaman. The northern part of the province is mountainous, while the southern part consists of plains, resulting in two distinct climate zones. The northern mountainous areas experience a continental climate, whereas the southern plains are influenced by the Mediterranean climate.
Kilis is a border province located in the southeastern part of Turkey, neighboring Syria. It is bordered by Gaziantep to the east, west, and north, and by Syria to the south. Kilis is situated 58 kilometers from Gaziantep and only 10 kilometers from the Syrian border.
To the north of the city, there are mountain ranges extending from east to west, with dry stream beds and a few small rivers in between. While much of the terrain in these mountainous areas is arid, the foothills and higher elevations contain arable lands suitable for agriculture. Particularly along the southeastern and border areas of the province, viticulture (grape cultivation) and olive farming are highly developed, taking advantage of the fertile soils in these regions.