Kyrenia mayor claims town’s population exceeds 150,000, challenging official northern Cyprus statistics
Murat Senkul, the Turkish Cypriot mayor of Kyrenia, announced that the town’s actual population ranges between 150,000 and 160,000, significantly higher than the 33,200 figure previously displayed on a roadside sign. He removed the sign after his 2022 election, criticizing official numbers as inaccurate and misleading. Senkul based his estimate on data such as water consumption, households, and waste collected, emphasizing the need for precise population data to ensure adequate public services and disaster preparedness.
Senkul also challenged the northern Cyprus government’s population figures, which have fluctuated between 500,000 and 590,000, asserting that the true population likely exceeds 800,000 during low periods and climbs to 900,000 at peak times. He attributed population growth to economic migration from countries like Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh, rather than government-sponsored transfers.
The northern Cyprus statistics institute’s 2024 projection reported a population under 500,000, while mobile communication data suggests a figure more than double that, with a striking mobile penetration rate of over 270%, second only to Hong Kong worldwide. Senkul urged northern authorities to conduct a comprehensive census to solidify accurate demographic data vital for planning healthcare, education, and emergency responses.
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