Abstract:

In this study, we analyze population development in the Çaybağı (Kotur) basin, including current population status and distribution of population. Çaybağı basin is located in the eastern part of Turkey, next to the İranian border. The research field (basin) is completely located in the Saray District of Van Province. The study area includes 21 villages and two hamlets. The population of the research field (Çaybağı basin) in 1935 was 1884. The population increased steadily until 2007, when it reached 16619. From 2007 until today, the population has decreased to 15684. İn the field of study, the human sex ratio is high; however, in some settlements it is lower. In our analysis of age groups in the population of the Çaybağı basin, 40,4% of the population are younger than 14 years of age; 56,8% are of working age; and 2,8% are elderly. The dependency rate of 76% in the basin is much higher than the country’s average rate of 46%. Currently in the Saray District, the literacy rate for those over 6 years-of-age 92%. In 2014, the population density rate was 100 in Turkey. In the Çaybağı river basin, the density rate is 21, well below the rest of the country’s level. Örenburç, Beyarslan and Karahisar are differentiated from other rural settlements by having higher populations