Updated
Overview
China has 16 times the population of Turkey (Türkiye): 1.41 billion people against 85.88 million (2025).
China's economy is 12 times the size of Turkey (Türkiye)'s, at $19.50T versus $1.60T.
Per person, Turkey (Türkiye) is the wealthier of the two: $18,599 against $13,862 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | China | Turkey (Türkiye) | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $19.50T | $1.60T | 2025 | $18.74T / $1.32T |
| GDP per capita | $13,862 | Higher: $18,599 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 5.0% | 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 0.1% | 34.9% | 2025 | 0.2% / 58.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.6% | 8.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 47 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $807 | Higher: $1,001 | 2022 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $268 | Higher: $659 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $3.91 | $6.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.41 billion | 85.88 million | 2025 | 1.41 billion / 84.63 million |
| Population growth | -0.2% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.1 yrs | 33.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.02 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 78.0 yrs | 77.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 66% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 92% | 90% | 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 9,596,960 km² | 783,562 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 146.6/km² | 109.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 12,289 Mt | Lower: 513 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 5.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $313.66B | $24.98B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.7% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 2.5 million | 512,000 | 2020 | — / — |
Sources by row: World Bank WDI, IMF WEO, UN WPP 2024, ILOSTAT, The Economist. Emphasis marks the stronger figure where one direction is meaningfully better.
Reading the numbers
Economy
China is growing faster: 5.0% annual GDP growth versus 3.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 0.1%.
Average monthly earnings favour Turkey (Türkiye): $1,001 against $807 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Turkey (Türkiye) is the younger society: median age 33.5 versus 40.1 years.
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 66%.
Geography
By land area, China is 12 times the size of Turkey (Türkiye): 9,596,960 km² versus 783,562 km².
Military
China spends 13 times as much on defence as Turkey (Türkiye): $313.66B versus $24.98B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
China fields the larger armed forces: 2.5 million personnel against 512,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is China bigger than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- China is larger by land area. China covers 9,596,960 km² while Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km², so China is 12 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, China or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- China has the larger population: 1.41 billion versus 85.88 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is China richer than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $13,862. Total GDP tells a different story: $19.50T for China versus $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye).
- Who spends more on their military, China or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- China spends more: $313.66B versus $24.98B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).