Updated
Overview
Iran and Turkey (Türkiye) are nearly matched in population: 92.42 million versus 85.88 million people (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 4.4 times the size of Iran's, at $1.60T versus $362.68B.
Per person, Turkey (Türkiye) is the wealthier of the two: $18,599 against $3,924 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Iran | Turkey (Türkiye) | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $362.68B | Higher: $1.60T | 2025 | $436.91B / $1.32T |
| GDP per capita | $3,924 | Higher: $18,599 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | -2.8% | Higher: 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 42.2% | Lower: 34.9% | 2025 | 32.5% / 58.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.3% | 8.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | — | 41 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | — | $1,001 | — / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $1,264 | $659 | 2023 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | — | $6.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 92.42 million | 85.88 million | 2025 | 89.18 million / 84.63 million |
| Population growth | 0.9% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 34.0 yrs | 33.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.67 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.9 yrs | 77.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 77% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 85% | Higher: 90% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 1,648,195 km² | 783,562 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 56.1/km² | 109.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 793 Mt | Lower: 513 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 8.7 t | Lower: 5.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $7.89B | $24.98B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 2.0% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 650,000 | 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
Turkey (Türkiye) grew while the other economy contracted: 3.6% against -2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Iran at 42.2%, while the other economy sits at 34.9%.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 34.0 (Iran) and 33.5 (Turkey (Türkiye)).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Iran is 2.1 times the size of Turkey (Türkiye): 1,648,195 km² versus 783,562 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Turkey (Türkiye) spends 3.2 times as much on defence as Iran: $24.98B versus $7.89B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Iran fields the larger armed forces: 650,000 personnel against 512,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Iran bigger than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Iran is larger by land area. Iran covers 1,648,195 km² while Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km², so Iran is 2.1 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Iran or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Iran has the larger population: 92.42 million versus 85.88 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Iran richer than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $3,924. Total GDP tells the same story: $362.68B for Iran versus $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye).
- Who spends more on their military, Iran or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $7.89B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).