Türkiye’de Uluslararası Öğrencilerin Mekânsal Dağılımı: Merkez-Çevre Yaklaşımıyla Bir Analiz

Öz

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’deki uluslararası öğrencilerin coğrafi dağılımını merkez-çevre kuramı çerçevesinde incelemektedir. Araştırmada illerin nüfusu, üniversite sayısı, toplam öğrenci ve uluslararası öğrenci sayısı gibi göstergelere dayalı olarak Z-skor yöntemi ile standartlaştırılmış ve ağırlıklandırılmış beş parametreden oluşan bileşik bir merkezîlik endeksi geliştirilmiştir. Bu endeks aracılığıyla iller “merkez”, “yarı-merkez” ve “çevre” olarak sınıflandırılmıştır. Analizlerde, uluslararası öğrencilerin mekânsal dağılımındaki eşitsizlik düzeyi Gini katsayısı (0,854) ve Lorenz eğrisi ile ölçülmüş; mekânsal bağımlılık ve kümelenme örüntüleri ise Moran’s I testi ve Yerel Mekânsal Otokorelasyon Analizi (LISA) ile değerlendirilmiştir. Bulgular, uluslararası öğrencilerin İstanbul, Bursa, Eskişehir ve Sakarya gibi nüfus yoğunluğu ve sosyoekonomik gelişmişlik düzeyi yüksek illerde toplandığını; çevre illerde ise düşük yoğunlukta kaldığını ortaya koymaktadır. SEGE-2017 verileriyle yapılan karşılaştırmalar, sosyoekonomik gelişmişlik ile uluslararası öğrenci yoğunluğu arasında pozitif bir ilişki olduğunu göstermektedir. Araştırma, yükseköğretimdeki mekânsal eşitsizlikleri görünür kılmakta ve uluslararası öğrenci politikalarının bölgesel kalkınma hedefleriyle uyumlu biçimde tasarlanabilmesi için veri temelli bir çerçeve sunmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Uluslararası öğrenciler
• Merkez-çevre kuramı
• Yükseköğretim
• Türkiye
• Mekansal dağılım

The Spatial Distribution Of International Students In Turkey: An Analysis Through The Core-Periphery Approach

Öz

This study examines the spatial distribution of international students in Turkey within the framework of the center–periphery theory. A composite centrality index was developed based on five weighted and standardized parameters—population size, number of universities, total student population, number of international students, and share of international students nationwide—using the Z-score method. Through this index, provinces were classified as “core,” “semi-core,” or “periphery.” The level of inequality in the spatial distribution of international students was measured using the Gini coefficient (0.854) and the Lorenz curve, while spatial dependence and clustering patterns were analyzed using Moran’s I test and Local Indicators of Spatial Association (LISA). Findings reveal that international students are predominantly concentrated in highly populated and socioeconomically developed provinces such as Istanbul, Bursa, Eskişehir and Sakarya, whereas peripheral provinces host significantly fewer students. Comparisons with SEGE-2017 socioeconomic development data indicate a positive relationship between socioeconomic status and international student density. The study highlights spatial inequalities in Turkish higher education and provides a data-driven framework.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• International students
• Core-periphery approach
• Higher education
• Türkiye
• Spatial distribution

Kaynakça

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