Administrative divisions of Turkey

Turkey has a unitary structure in terms of administration and this aspect is one of the most important factors shaping the Turkish public administration. When three powers (executive, legislative and judiciary) are taken into account as the main functions of the state, local administrations have little power. Turkey is a highly centralized unitary system, and the provinces are subordinated to the centre. Local administrations were established to provide services in place and the government is represented by the governors and city governors. Besides the governors and the city governors, other senior public officials are also appointed by the central government rather than appointed by mayors or elected by constituents.^[1]

Within this unitary framework, Turkey is subdivided into 81 provinces for administrative purposes. Each province is divided into districts, for a total of 973 districts.^[2] Turkey is also subdivided into 7 regions and 21 subregions for geographic, demographic and economic purposes; this does not refer to an administrative division.

The largely centralized structure of decision-making in Ankara is often considered an impediment to good governance,^[3][4][5] and causes resentment in particular in ethnic minority regions.^[4][6][7] Steps towards decentralization since 2004 have proved to be a highly controversial topic in Turkey.^[5][8] Turkey is obligated under the European Charter of Local Self-Government to decentralize its administrative structure.^[4][9] A decentralization program for Turkey is an ongoing discussion in the country's academics, politics and the broader public.^{[10][11][12][13]}

Turkey is subdivided in a hierarchical manner:

• Provinces
  • Districts
    • Belde (semi-rural)
    • Villages (rural)
    • Neighbourhoods (urban)