Assessment of Social Vulnerability in terms of Disasters in Türkiye Based on Entropy Method

Abstract This study aims to determine social vulnerability (SV) to disasters at the provincial level. Although there are very few studies on vulnerability assessment for disasters in Türkiye, there is no recent study on SV assessment. In line with the aim of the study, SV indicators, sub-indicators and their variables have been determined using a deductive approach, considering the relevant literature review and Türkiye’s socio-economic structure. Provinces in Türkiye are assessed from a multidimensional perspective consisting of 9 sub-indicators and 34 variables representing under the indicators of demographic attributes, economic status, and adaptive capacity. In the study, entropy weight method used, and the results of the study were assessed at provincial, geographical regions and national scales. According to entropy results, the top 5 variables with the highest weights are “Number of Syrians (0,167)”, “Population Density (0,116)”, “Single-Person Household (0,096)”, “Extended Family Household (0,093)”, and “Number of Women (0,092)”. The findings show that SV index values of the provinces are between 0,093 and 0,853, most vulnerable province Istanbul is significantly different from the other provinces, while the least vulnerable province is Tunceli. Moreover, regionally, the Southeast Anatolia (0,222), Marmara (0,217) and Mediterranean (0,216) regions have the highest SV, respectively, while the Black Sea region (0,117) has the least vulnerability. The study results will provide a reference for decision makers and practitioners for disaster risk reduction.