Poverty through Migration: The Case of Syrians in Istanbul

While poverty has often served as a driving force for economic migration, in cases of migration caused by war, nationalism, and political unrest, poverty has increasingly become a consequence rather than a cause. Migrants who are forcibly displaced without making rational and informed decisions are subjected to various social issues in their host countries, especially legal status problems. Loss of income, unemployment, homelessness, and poverty are among the primary challenges. Poverty becomes not only an individual problem but also a family destiny. This study aims to investigate the life experiences, difficulties encountered, and poverty-inducing factors among Syrian migrants who have arrived in Istanbul through forced migration. In-depth interviews were conducted in districts with high concentrations of Syrian residents. The data were analysed using MaxQDA, a qualitative analysis software commonly used in content analysis. The findings reveal that the fundamental cause of poverty is the sudden refugee movement triggered by forced migration. Five main themes were identified through content analysis: unplanned migration, bureaucratic obstacles, limited employment opportunities, excessive economic burdens, and social barriers.