Turks in Turkmenistan

Turks in Turkmenistan are either Turkish people who live in Turkmenistan even though having been born outside Turkmenistan, or are Turkmenistan-born, but have Turkish roots. By Turkish roots, this could mean roots linking back to Turkey, or in neighbouring countries once part of the Ottoman Empire that still have a population whose language is Turkish or who claims a Turkish identity or cultural heritage.

Population
According to the 2012 Turkmen census, there was 13,000 Turks living in Turkmenistan. The largest number of Turks were recorded in the capital city of Ashgabat where they numbered 10,500.

Turkish schools
Due to the common ethnic, linguistic, religious, cultural and historical ties of Turkish and Turkmen people, the Turkish community in Turkmenistan are well integrated. In Turkmenistan there is 1 high school, 1 primary school, 1 Turkish Language Training Centre and 1 Vocational Training Centre that operates in Ashgabat under the Turkish National Education Ministry.