Updated
Overview
India has 17 times the population of Turkey (Türkiye): 1.46 billion people against 85.88 million (2025).
India's economy is 2.5 times the size of Turkey (Türkiye)'s, at $3.96T versus $1.60T.
Per person, Turkey (Türkiye) is the wealthier of the two: $18,599 against $2,702 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | India | Turkey (Türkiye) | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $3.96T | $1.60T | 2025 | $3.91T / $1.32T |
| GDP per capita | $2,702 | Higher: $18,599 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 7.6% | 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 2.4% | 34.9% | 2025 | 5.0% / 58.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 4.2% | 8.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 23 | 41 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $255 | Higher: $1,001 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $55 | Higher: $659 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.45 | $6.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 1.46 billion | 85.88 million | 2025 | 1.42 billion / 84.63 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 28.8 yrs | 33.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.94 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 72.2 yrs | Higher: 77.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 36% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 70% | Higher: 90% | 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 3,287,590 km² | 783,562 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 445.3/km² | 109.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 3,193 Mt | Lower: 513 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 2.2 t | 5.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $86.13B | $24.98B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.3% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 3.1 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
India is growing much faster: 7.6% annual GDP growth versus 3.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in India: a price level of 23 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Turkey (Türkiye): $1,001 against $255 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
India is the younger society: median age 28.8 versus 33.5 years.
Life expectancy is 5.2 years longer in Turkey (Türkiye) (77.4 vs 72.2).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 36%.
Internet adoption is higher in Turkey (Türkiye) (90% vs 70% of the population).
Geography
By land area, India is 4.2 times the size of Turkey (Türkiye): 3,287,590 km² versus 783,562 km².
India is far more densely settled: 445 people per km² against 110.
Military
India spends 3.4 times as much on defence as Turkey (Türkiye): $86.13B versus $24.98B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
India fields the larger armed forces: 3.1 million personnel against 512,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is India bigger than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- India is larger by land area. India covers 3,287,590 km² while Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km², so India is 4.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, India or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- India has the larger population: 1.46 billion versus 85.88 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is India richer than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $2,702. Total GDP tells a different story: $3.96T for India versus $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye).
- Who spends more on their military, India or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- India spends more: $86.13B versus $24.98B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).