Updated
Overview
Russia has about 65% more people than Turkey (Türkiye): 143.51 million against 85.88 million (2025).
Russia's economy is about 60% larger than Turkey (Türkiye)'s, at $2.56T versus $1.60T.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Russia | Turkey (Türkiye) | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $2.56T | $1.60T | 2025 | $2.17T / $1.32T |
| GDP per capita | $17,547 | Higher: $18,599 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 1.0% | Higher: 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 8.7% | 34.9% | 2025 | 6.7% / 58.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 2.1% | 8.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 32 | 41 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $777 | Higher: $1,001 | 2021 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $208 | Higher: $659 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $1.74 | $6.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 143.51 million | 85.88 million | 2025 | 140.13 million / 84.63 million |
| Population growth | -0.1% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 40.3 yrs | 33.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.46 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 73.4 yrs | Higher: 77.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 75% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 94% | 90% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 17,098,242 km² | 783,562 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 8.4/km² | 109.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 1,781 Mt | Lower: 513 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 12.3 t | Lower: 5.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $148.97B | $24.98B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 7.1% | 1.9% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 1.5 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
Turkey (Türkiye) is growing faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 1.0%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 8.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Russia: a price level of 32 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Turkey (Türkiye): $1,001 against $777 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Turkey (Türkiye) is the younger society: median age 33.5 versus 40.3 years.
Life expectancy is 4.0 years longer in Turkey (Türkiye) (77.4 vs 73.4).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 75%.
Geography
By land area, Russia is 22 times the size of Turkey (Türkiye): 17,098,242 km² versus 783,562 km².
Turkey (Türkiye) is far more densely settled: 110 people per km² against 8.
Military
Russia spends 6.0 times as much on defence as Turkey (Türkiye): $148.97B versus $24.98B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Russia carries the heavier military burden: 7.1% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Russia fields the larger armed forces: 1.5 million personnel against 512,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Russia bigger than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Russia is larger by land area. Russia covers 17,098,242 km² while Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km², so Russia is 22 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Russia or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Russia has the larger population: 143.51 million versus 85.88 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Russia richer than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $17,547. Total GDP tells a different story: $2.56T for Russia versus $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye).
- Who spends more on their military, Russia or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Russia spends more: $148.97B versus $24.98B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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