Mapping Left-Behind Regions: A Classification of Regional Disparities in Türkiye

Fatih Cüre

Article Details

Mapping Left-Behind Regions: A Classification of Regional Disparities in Türkiye

Authors:

Fatih Cüre

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Kalkınma Coğrafyası

Journal:

Coğrafi Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.264-282

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001333476

pISSN:

1303-5851

Keywords:

Abstract:

 This study examines regional disparities in Türkiye through the concept of left-behind places, which has gained prominence in discussions on economic marginalization and political discontent. Despite the extensive literature on left-behind regions in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, Türkiye remains understudied. Using a Left-Behind Index LBI and K-means clustering analysis, this research identifies and classifies Türkiyes NUTS2 regions based on long-term economic and demographic trends. The findings reveal persistent regional inequalities, characterized by an East-West divide and the economic underperformance of certain regions. Unlike Europe, where deindustrialization plays a crucial role, Türkiyes left-behind regions are primarily defined by economic stagnation, population decline, and outmigration. The results underscore the need for targeted regional policies to address disparities. This study contributes to the broader discourse on left-behind places by providing empirical insights into Türkiyes unique socio-economic landscape.

 This study examines regional disparities in Türkiye through the concept of left-behind places, which has gained prominence in discussions on economic marginalization and political discontent. Despite the extensive literature on left-behind regions in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, Türkiye remains understudied. Using a Left-Behind Index LBI and K-means clustering analysis, this research identifies and classifies Türkiyes NUTS2 regions based on long-term economic and demographic trends. The findings reveal persistent regional inequalities, characterized by an East-West divide and the economic underperformance of certain regions. Unlike Europe, where deindustrialization plays a crucial role, Türkiyes left-behind regions are primarily defined by economic stagnation, population decline, and outmigration. The results underscore the need for targeted regional policies to address disparities. This study contributes to the broader discourse on left-behind places by providing empirical insights into Türkiyes unique socio-economic landscape.

 This study examines regional disparities in Türkiye through the concept of left-behind places, which has gained prominence in discussions on economic marginalization and political discontent. Despite the extensive literature on left-behind regions in the U.S., U.K., and Europe, Türkiye remains understudied. Using a Left-Behind Index LBI and K-means clustering analysis, this research identifies and classifies Türkiyes NUTS2 regions based on long-term economic and demographic trends. The findings reveal persistent regional inequalities, characterized by an East-West divide and the economic underperformance of certain regions. Unlike Europe, where deindustrialization plays a crucial role, Türkiyes left-behind regions are primarily defined by economic stagnation, population decline, and outmigration. The results underscore the need for targeted regional policies to address disparities. This study contributes to the broader discourse on left-behind places by providing empirical insights into Türkiyes unique socio-economic landscape.

 Bu çalışma, ekonomik marjinalleşme ve siyasi memnuniyetsizlik tartışmalarında öne çıkan geride kalmış bölgeler kavramı üzerinden Türkiyedeki bölgesel eşitsizlikleri incelemektedir. ABD, Birleşik Krallık ve Avrupadaki geride kalmış bölgeler üzerine kapsamlı bir literatür olmasına rağmen, Türkiye bu bağlamda yeterince araştırılmamıştır. Bu çalışma, Geride Kalmışlık Endeksi LBI ve K-means kümeleme analizi kullanarak Türkiyenin NUTS2 bölgelerini uzun vadeli ekonomik ve demografik eğilimlere göre sınıflandırmaktadır. Bulgular, Doğu-Batı ayrımının belirgin olduğu ve bazı bölgelerin ekonomik olarak geri kaldığı kalıcı bölgesel eşitsizlikleri ortaya koymaktadır. Avrupadan farklı olarak, Türkiyedeki geride kalmış bölgeler sanayisizleşme yerine ekonomik durgunluk, nüfus azalması ve dış göç ile tanımlanmaktadır. Sonuçlar, bölgesel eşitsizlikleri gidermeye yönelik hedefe yönelik politikaların gerekliliğini vurgulamaktadır. Bu çalışma, Türkiyenin kendine özgü sosyo-ekonomik yapısını ortaya koyarak geride kalmış bölgeler üzerine küresel tartışmalara ampirik katkılar sunmaktadır.

Article Details

Mapping Left-Behind Regions: A Classification of Regional Disparities in Türkiye

Authors:

Fatih Cüre

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Kalkınma Coğrafyası

Journal:

Coğrafi Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.264-282

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001333476

pISSN:

1303-5851

left-behind places

spatial inequalities

regional development

geographically uneven developmentGeri bırakılmış bölgeler

mekânsal eşitsizlikler

bölgesel kalkınma

coğrafi dengesiz gelişim

Issues

Article Details

Authors: Fatih Cüre

Publisher: Ankara University

Main Topics: Kalkınma Coğrafyası

Journal: Coğrafi Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.264-282

Document Type: Article

Publication Date: 4/2025

Document Language: English

Document ID (Org No.): 2001333476

pISSN: 1303-5851

Issues

Authors:

Fatih Cüre

Publisher:

Ankara University

Main Topics:

Kalkınma Coğrafyası

Journal:

Coğrafi Bilimler Dergisi Vol.23 Issue 1, pp.264-282

Document Type:

Article

Publication Date:

4/2025

Document Language:

English

Document ID (Org No.):

2001333476

pISSN:

1303-5851