Demographic Characteristics of Syrian Refugees with Respect to Housing Conditions in Turkey

Abstract

Housing is a crucial basic need, and adequate housing conditions are right for everybody, including vulnerable ones such as children, women, elders, migrants and refugees. This thesis aims to present the demographic characteristics of Syrian refugees in Türkiye by housing conditions adapted from the UN-Habitat’s “adequate housing” criteria using 2018 Turkey Demographic and Health Survey (TDHS) Syrian Migrants Sample data. The correlation between improved housing/unimproved housing conditions and various demographic characteristics of the Syrian refugee sample are presented using F-tests taking into account complex sample design. Results reveal that more than half of the Syrian refugees in Türkiye live under unimproved housing standards, and there are different demographic outcomes by housing conditions. According to the findings, women living in unimproved housing standards are more prone to have higher total fertility rate than in improved housing, yet the under-five mortality rates are higher in improved housing conditions. Also, it is found that Syrian refugee women have a similar figure as regards to the place of delivery and C-section births in improved housing and unimproved housing. This research aims to contribute to the literature on refugee studies by highlighting the relationship between the housing conditions and demographic characteristics of Syrian refugee population in Türkiye, aiming that the findings can be helpful for policymakers, and humanitarian organizations.