Balıkesir 2026 in Numbers: Population, Economy and Development

[المسافر]

Last updated: 7 September 2026

Balıkesir lies between the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean. Its economy and landscape extend well beyond a single city: urban centres, ports and industry, farming and food production, tourist coasts, islands, forests and rural districts all play a part.

This guide distinguishes published figures from projects under development.

Population dates: the latest complete year-end count used here is for 2025. A final 2026 total cannot be known before the year ends and the new official results are published.

Balıkesir at a glance​

• Year-end 2025 population: 1,284,517.
• Male residents: 638,871, approximately 49.7%.
• Female residents: 645,646, approximately 50.3%.
• Population in 2024: 1,276,096.
• Annual increase: 8,421, approximately 0.66%.
• Districts: 20.
• Area: approximately 14,300 square kilometres under the general provincial figure; particular land-use tables may use a different area definition.
• Approximate density: 90 residents per square kilometre.
• Coasts: the Sea of Marmara and the Aegean.
• Principal sectors: agriculture and food, industry, ports and logistics, energy, mining and tourism.

Population figures are available through the TÜİK data portal; the provincial governorate provides administrative district information.

What the population figures tell us​

The province's approximately 1.285 million residents represent modest growth, but individual areas have different needs.

Karesi and Altıeylül form the administrative and service core, with government offices, universities, hospitals, markets and everyday amenities.

Bandırma is a distinct industrial and logistics centre, linked economically and through tourism with Gönen, Manyas, Erdek and Kapıdağ.

Edremit, Burhaniye, Gömeç and Ayvalık experience substantial seasonal housing and tourism demand. Summer visitors and second-home owners increase pressure on roads, water and services. A provincial average cannot describe every district.

Five connected economic areas​

1.Karesi and Altıeylül​

Administration, commerce, education, healthcare, shopping and public-sector employment.

2.Bandırma, Gönen, Manyas and Susurluk​

Industry, food production, farming, road and maritime transport, and rail. Bandırma provides access to port and trade networks.

3.Edremit, Burhaniye, Gömeç, Ayvalık and Havran​

Tourism, olives, services and seasonal property demand, supported by Koca Seyit Airport and the northern Aegean coast.

4.Erdek, Marmara Island and Avşa​

Ferries, summer tourism, fishing and local services, strongly affected by weather, season and infrastructure capacity.

5.Inland districts​

Bigadiç, Sındırgı, Dursunbey, Savaştepe, Kepsut, İvrindi and Balya include farming, forests, livestock, mining and geothermal or other renewable-energy resources.

This variety can support resilience, but requires ports, roads, railways, rural water networks, environmental protection and seasonal services to develop together.

Farming and food production​

The governorate's published land-use table lists approximately 390,873 hectares of agricultural land,82,715 hectares of meadow and pasture, and 628,614 hectares of forest. Agricultural land and forest account for approximately 26.8% and 43.1% of that table's total area. These are published land-use figures, with agricultural data based on 2022; they are not a fresh 2026 survey. (Governorate land-use and agriculture data)

Olives and olive oil, dairy, livestock, poultry, grains, fodder, vegetables and food processing are important. Development priorities include adding value locally, packaging and cold storage, food manufacturing, efficient irrigation, cooperatives and registered local products, digital traceability, and links between rural producers, restaurants, tourism and online markets.

Industry and technology​

Balıkesir's industrial base includes food, machinery and equipment, metals, building materials, energy and agriculture-related production.

The South Marmara Development Agency's 2026 work programme prioritises energy, industrial and technological development, and tourism and rural development. It addresses added value, innovation, logistics, digitalisation, energy efficiency and studies for industrial or research facilities.

The challenge is to attract cleaner, more advanced production that uses local inputs and creates skilled work.

Ports, railways and logistics​

The province benefits from its position between Istanbul, Bursa, İzmir and Çanakkale. Bandırma's port, railway and road connections support the movement of raw materials and agricultural and industrial goods.

Transport links connect farms with factories and markets, industrial zones with ports, and visitors with coastal destinations. Better integration can reduce freight costs, but requires efficient logistics nodes, rail services and management of lorry traffic near towns and industrial areas.

Energy and the green transition​

Wind and geothermal resources contribute to southern Marmara's renewable-energy potential. The regional programme also includes energy efficiency, green production, local equipment manufacturing and initiatives such as the South Marmara Hydrogen Shore platform.

Development needs to protect farmland, pasture, water, forests, birds and migration routes; assess cumulative effects; involve local communities; and share economic benefits with host areas. Environmental performance matters alongside the number of installations.

Tourism beyond the summer peak​

Destinations include Ayvalık and Cunda, Edremit Gulf, Altınoluk and Akçay, the Kaz Mountains area, Erdek and Kapıdağ, Avşa and Marmara Island, Lake Manyas and Kuşcenneti National Park, and inland villages and heritage sites.

BADO's Ayvalık–Lesbos sailings began on 1 August 2025, according to the municipality's announcement. Check current seasonal operations before travelling.

Priorities include longer spring and autumn seasons, nature and cultural tourism, appropriate wellness tourism, links with rural products, stronger water and waste services, congestion management and protection of local architecture.

Transport and municipal services​

In its 2025 activity review, the municipality reported adding 25 buses, reaching 289 routes and providing regular transport to 189 neighbourhoods. It also reported cumulative infrastructure investment of TRY 4 billion since the administration took office, as stated by the end of 2025.

These are municipal reported totals, not proof that every district's needs have been met. The dispersed province requires continuing investment in water, wastewater, roads and public transport.

Earthquakes and urban renewal​

The 2026 BAYES update reported completion of a first-stage inventory covering approximately 150,000 buildings in Altıeylül, Karesi, Bandırma, Erdek, Gönen, Manyas, Edremit and Burhaniye. Stage 2 is intended to cover around 90,000 further buildings in 11 district centres. (BAYES project update)

A rapid inventory helps identify priorities. It does not certify an individual property as structurally safe or replace a detailed engineering assessment.

Housing and business decisions​

Karesi and Altıeylül offer year-round services and employment; Bandırma has an industrial, logistics and university economy; the western coast is more affected by tourism and seasonal housing; Erdek and the islands depend more on ferries and summer demand; inland districts are often oriented towards agriculture, energy and local production.

Before buying property or starting a business, check the title and planning position, building age and engineering reports, ground conditions and seismic risks, year-round water and wastewater, winter and summer transport, permanent versus seasonal demand, nearby services, and the actual delivery stage of planned projects.

What to watch through 2030​

1. Stage 2 of the building inventory.
2. Whether survey results become deliverable urban-renewal plans.
3. Water and wastewater improvements in coastal and rural areas.
4. Bandırma's port, rail and freight development.
5. Industrial growth compatible with farming and the environment.
6. Digitalisation and higher-value manufacturing.
7. Tourism beyond the short summer season.
8. Sea transport between coast, islands and larger cities.
9. More value retained locally from food and agriculture.
10. The balance between property growth and public-service capacity.

A province of several centres​

Balıkesir combines the Bandırma port economy, the Karesi–Altıeylül urban core, Edremit Gulf and Ayvalık, Erdek and the islands, and extensive farming and forest areas. Population growth is modest, while building inventories, infrastructure, industry, logistics, food production and tourism are important areas of change. Balanced development needs to protect water, coast and forests while supporting year-round work and services.

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• Explore Marmara: A Practical Guide to Its 11 Provinces

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