Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has 7.2 times the population of Belgium: 85.88 million people against 11.94 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 2.2 times the size of Belgium's, at $1.60T versus $725.47B.
Per person, Belgium is the wealthier of the two: $60,750 against $18,599 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Belgium | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.60T | $725.47B | 2025 | $1.32T / $664.56B |
| GDP per capita | $18,599 | Higher: $60,750 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 58.5% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.5% | Lower: 5.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 81 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | Higher: $7,044 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | Higher: $2,387 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 11.94 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 11.96 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 41.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.39 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 yrs | Higher: 82.3 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 88% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 96% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 30,528 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 391.2/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 85 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.9 t | 7.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $8.56B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.3% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 24,000 | 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 2.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Turkey (Türkiye): a price level of 41 versus 81 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Belgium: $7,044 against $1,001 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Turkey (Türkiye) is the far younger society: median age 33.5 versus 41.9 years.
Life expectancy is 4.9 years longer in Belgium (82.3 vs 77.4).
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 26 times the size of Belgium: 783,562 km² versus 30,528 km².
Belgium is far more densely settled: 391 people per km² against 110.
Military
Turkey (Türkiye) spends 2.9 times as much on defence as Belgium: $24.98B versus $8.56B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 24,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Belgium?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Belgium covers 30,528 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 26 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Belgium?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 11.94 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Belgium?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Belgium is richer: $60,750 against $18,599. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $725.47B for Belgium.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Belgium?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $8.56B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for Turkey (Türkiye) · Belgium