Turkey

The population of Turkey is approximately 86M (2024).

The capital of Turkey is Ankara.

Turkey's GDP per capita is $17K (2024).

Life expectancy in Turkey is 77.42 years (2024).

Turkey covers 783,562 km² (302,535 sq mi).

Turkey has a moderate population density of 110 people per km², close to the global average of 60.

Turkey's population is growing slowly at 0.2% per year, below the global average.

Yes — based on GDP per capita, Turkey falls in the high GDP-per-person tier at $17K. Official World Bank income groups use Atlas-method GNI per capita, so this is a GDP-based comparison rather than an official income-group label.

Turkey's intentional homicide rate is 3.2 per 100,000 people, close to the global average.

The official language of Turkey is Turkish.

Turkey uses the Turkish lira (₺) as its sole official currency.

The best months to visit Turkey are May, June, July, August, September, based on climate data for the capital.

The latest estimates project Turkey's population at approximately 86 million people. This demographic scale makes Turkey a significant regional power, ranking 18 of 215 countries globally and 1 of 17 in Western Asia. The population currently grows at an annual rate of 0.23% according to recent data.

Turkey's economy is one of the largest in the world, with a total GDP of approximately 1.36 trillion USD. This economic output ranks the country 17 of 212 globally and 6 of 48 across Asia. Current projections indicate a GDP per capita of 16,968 USD, reflecting its status as an upper-middle-income nation.

The adult literacy rate in Turkey is 97.26%, according to the latest available data. This high level of educational attainment ranks the nation 56 of 170 globally. The high literacy rate supports a skilled workforce and continues to be a cornerstone of the country's social and economic development strategies.

Digital connectivity is very high in Turkey, with 89.77% of the population identified as internet users. This level of access ranks the nation 62 of 212 globally. Such high penetration facilitates a robust digital economy, extensive social media engagement, and the growth of e-commerce across its major urban centers.

Current data indicates that the life expectancy at birth in Turkey is 77.42 years. This longevity figure ranks the country 81 of 215 globally. Improved healthcare infrastructure and access to medical services have contributed to this stable life expectancy, aligning with global trends for emerging industrial economies.

The latest reports show that Turkey has an unemployment rate of 8.52%. In a global comparison, this figure ranks 50 of 186 countries. Despite various economic shifts, the nation continues to focus on job creation while maintaining an annual GDP growth rate of 3.33% to support its large workforce.

Turkey currently ranks 18th globally out of 215 countries and territories. It holds the 10th position in Asia and is the most populous country in Western Asia, ranking 1st out of 17 nations in the subregion. This high ranking reflects its status as a major regional power.

The estimated 2026 population density for Turkey is approximately 111.6 people per km² (289 per sq mi). This places the country 95th in the world for density. However, population distribution is uneven, with the highest concentrations found in urban centers like Istanbul, Ankara, and the western coastal plains.

The population is still growing, though the pace has slowed to an annual rate of approximately 0.23%. While the total number of residents continues to increase toward an estimated 2026 total of 85.9 million, the rate of growth has reached historical lows due to falling birth rates.

The current fertility rate in Turkey is 1.48 births per woman, which is below the replacement level of 2.1. This fertility level ranks Turkey 154th globally and indicates that the population will likely face aging challenges and slower natural growth in the coming decades as family sizes decrease.

Approximately 89.3% of Turkey's population lives in urban areas, ranking the country 32nd globally for urbanization. This high percentage is the result of decades of internal migration toward major metropolitan hubs like Istanbul and Ankara, where the majority of the nation's economic activity and services are concentrated.