A study by the Sociology Department of Üsküdar University, which examined the music habits of university youth in Türkiye, has revealed striking results. According to the comprehensive research conducted with 469 students from 72 universities, 9 out of 10 young people listen to music every day, and some even spend more than 5 hours a day on music. The study shows that while young people embrace music as a lifestyle, they remain distant from playing instruments or producing music.
Young people mostly access music through their mobile phones, either via playlists they prepare themselves or through platforms like YouTube and Spotify. It was also found that 66.4% of participants listen to music while studying or performing other tasks.
Sociologist Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı emphasized the importance of shifting young people’s relationship with music from being merely listeners to becoming producers:
“Art and music culture not only support individual development but also play a significant role in fostering social harmony and peace,” he said.
The comprehensive study conducted by Üsküdar University with 469 students from 72 universities revealed a striking fact about the relationship between young people and music in Türkiye: While youth adopt music as a lifestyle, they remain distant from playing instruments and music production.The study, carried out by Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, a faculty member of Üsküdar University’s Sociology Department, and sociologist Melike Demir, revealed that young people love music as "consumers" but are far from being "producers."
71.3% of participants do not play any instrument
In the study, conducted with 469 students from 72 universities, the most preferred genres of Turkish music were pop, rock, and rap, while in foreign music, Western pop, rock, classical, techno, and jazz stood out. These preferences show that young people are open to both local and global music cultures. However, the data also indicates that despite their intense interest in music, this enthusiasm does not translate into practice.
71.3% of the participants stated they do not play any instrument, and 63.7% said they have not received any musical education.
Methodology and demographic findings of the study
The study consisted of 32 questions, and a significant portion of the participants were students from public and private universities in metropolitan cities such as Istanbul and Ankara. In addition, students from various regions, including Izmir, Kırklareli, Kocaeli, Sakarya, Muş, and Rize, were also included in the research.
44.2% of students reported living in metropolitan areas, while 38.8% stated they reside in major cities.
In terms of gender distribution, 66.2% of the participants were female, while 33.8% were male.
9 out of 10 people listen every day!
The research results reveal that music has become an indispensable part of students’ daily lives. When asked, “How often do you listen to music during the day?” the responses showed that music has become more than just a hobby, and it has turned into a lifestyle.
According to the data, only 1.4% of participants reported that they never listen to music. 22.5% stated they spend most of their day listening to music, while 19.5% listen for an average of 1 hour per day, 20.9% for 2 hours, and 11.1% for 3 hours. Moreover, 5.4% of respondents listen to music for more than 5 hours a day.
Mobile phones are the top choice in digital!
Young people access music primarily through mobile phones (40.9%), using their own playlists or platforms such as YouTube (28.3%) and Spotify (17.7%).
The study data also showed that 52.6% of participants do not prefer a specific setting for listening to music. Those who prefer listening alone with headphones make up 17.6%, while 13.6% prefer listening alone through speakers. Meanwhile, 10.3% of participants listen to music with headphones in crowded environments.
Regarding emotional states, 81.3% of respondents said they listen to music depending on their mood. Additionally, 8.9% prefer music when they are feeling relaxed, while smaller groups reported listening when they are happy, angry, or bored.
They listen while studying and even while sleeping!
The findings show that 66.4% of participants listen to music while studying or performing other tasks, while 27.9% stated they do not. When asked what time of day they listen to music, 57.5% said they listen throughout the day. 16.5% listen mostly in the evening, while 8.4% prefer listening in the morning. Another notable finding of the study is that 51.8% of participants sometimes fall asleep while listening to music. 34.4% do not sleep with music, while 13.8% reported that they fall asleep to music.
Music is more than entertainment, but it is the key to emotions
The study findings reveal that for university students, music is not just background noise but a language of emotions, a mirror of identity, and a powerful connection with their inner world. 35.1% of participants associate music with “emotional intensity.” 18.2% describe music as “a lifestyle,” while 17.1% see it as a form of “entertainment.” For 12.5%, music means “rest and relaxation,” and 8.4% directly associate music with “peace.”
The percentage of those who say "I listen to all kinds of music" is over 50%!
The research results reveal that young people are not confined to specific genres; they embrace a wide range of both Turkish and foreign music. While 17.1% of participants prefer pop music, 10% prefer rock. Genres such as rap (4.6%), Turkish classical music (4.1%), and Turkish folk music (3%) are represented at lower rates. The proportion of those who stated they do not listen to Turkish music is also quite low (3%). In terms of foreign music preferences, Western pop music ranks first at 36.9%, followed by Western rock (10.8%) and Western classical music (8.7%). Jazz and techno have a smaller audience, while 20.6% of respondents stated they do not listen to Western music. The data shows that university students are open to diversity in both Turkish and foreign music, though certain genres stand out due to individual preferences.
Who are the young people listening to?
The research reveals that both legendary and contemporary names from Türkiye’s and the world’s music scene have a special place in young people’s hearts. Among the most beloved Turkish artists are Sezen Aksu, Cem Karaca, Barış Manço, Teoman, and Mabel Matiz, while foreign artists such as Adele, Lana Del Rey, Rihanna, and The Weeknd are also frequently preferred.
Almost no contact with instruments
The findings indicate that while young people consume music heavily, their participation in the production process is minimal. A full 80.2% of participants reported not playing any instrument. A large portion (71.3%) also stated they do not play an instrument at all. Among those who do play instruments, the guitar (7.6%), piano (4.1%), and saz (1.1%) are the most preferred.
When it comes to musical education, 63.7% of participants reported never having taken any instrument lessons. Those who received training in a music school or course accounted for 14.1%, while 10% took private lessons. Another 7.3% reported being self-taught.
Young people are close to music with friends, distant with family
The data shows that university students share music mostly with friends, while this interaction remains limited within the family. 34.4% of participants said they attend music events with friends a few times a year, while only 17.3% go frequently. By contrast, only 8.4% attend events with their families a few times a year, and just 1.9% do so frequently, which is an extremely low rate. Additionally, 32.2% of students stated they never attend any music events.
When asked, “Is there a song you sing with your family?” only 38.9% answered “yes,” while 59% stated that they never experience such music-sharing moments within the family.
Young people are opening up to the melodies of the Turkic world
The research findings also reveal that young people listen not only to Western music but also to the rich melodies of the Turkic world. 44.7% of students reported listening to music from Turkic Republics, while 34.1% stated they had previously encountered such music but were not aware of it.
When asked, “From which country’s artists do you listen to music most among the Turkic Republics?” the responses show that Azerbaijani artists are the most popular. 36% of participants reported listening to Azerbaijani artists, while Kazakh (5.1%), Uzbek (2.2%), and Kyrgyz (1.6%) artists have a smaller audience. Among the most-listened-to artists are Azerbaijan’s renowned singers Rashid Behbudov and Shovkat Alakbarova, as well as Kazakhstan’s globally recognized vocal powerhouse Dimash Kudaibergen.
What do young people think of turkish society’s music culture?
The question “What is your opinion on the level of music culture in Turkish society?” provided insight into the subjective assessments of young people. 60.7% of participants stated that the music culture is at a moderate level, suggesting that while music is widely consumed in daily life, it lacks cultural depth and knowledge. Meanwhile, 20.9% rated the music culture as high, indicating that there is still a positive general perception of music in Türkiye.
Young people remain mostly in the role of consumers
Prof. Ebulfez Süleymanlı, faculty member of Üsküdar University’s Sociology Department, shared his assessment of the relationship between university youth and music.
Prof. Süleymanlı noted that young people establish a multi-layered and dynamic relationship with music:
“Young people diversify their music preferences based on individual moods and social contexts, embracing music as an important cultural space in the formation of identity. With digitalization, young people are not only listeners but also active participants, engaging with music through social media and digital platforms. However, the low rates of music production and instrument playing reveal that young people remain largely in the role of consumers.”
Music is not only an art form but also a guarantee of mental health and social peace
Prof. Süleymanlı emphasized the importance of shifting young people’s relationship with music from being listeners to becoming producers:
“In this regard, it is crucial for educational institutions and local administrations to develop strategies that encourage young people’s creative participation from primary school onwards. Expanding access to music education for all segments of society and ensuring active family involvement in this process are key strategic steps to help young people build a deeper and more productive relationship with music.
Such a holistic approach would strengthen young people’s connection with music, supporting them to become more productive and collaborative individuals. Moreover, it should be noted that individuals with a well-developed art and music culture are more creative and productive because they can express their emotions in healthy ways. Through cultural activities that support mental health, these individuals can cope more effectively with negative emotions such as stress and anger, helping them avoid risky behaviors like violence. Therefore, art and music culture not only supports individual development but also plays an important role in fostering social harmony and peace,” he concluded.
Üsküdar News Agency (ÜNA)