Around 800,000 fewer candidates opt for universities in Istanbul due to cost of living

The Council of Higher Education (YÖK) reports a significant drop in university preferences in Istanbul in 2023, with 800,000 fewer candidates compared to the previous year. The trend also reflects a 20% decrease in Ankara and Izmir. In 2023, Istanbul witnessed a 25.5% decline, with student choices dropping from 3.1 million to 2.3 million, despite an increase in available quotas.

This shift extends beyond major cities, affecting provinces like Eskişehir, Bursa, Antalya, Mersin, Sakarya, and Samsun. Overall, the number of students opting for universities in these regions decreased from 2.4 million in 2022 to 1.3 million in 2023.

Factors contributing to this decline include challenges in nutrition, accommodation, and transportation, with high costs of dormitory fees, a shortage of dormitories, and increased living expenses.

According to guidance counselor Salim Ünal, the high cost of living in major cities, including increased dormitory fees and rents, plays a crucial role in changing student preferences.

In the 2023-2024 academic year, lunch fees at public universities surged by 93.83% on average, while monthly grocery shopping expenses for students increased by 113.29% in the last two years. The monthly cost of living for students in private dormitories rose to 14,583 Turkish liras, and state-run dormitories saw an 89.53% annual increase, notably in grocery and food expenditures.