Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has 8.2 times the population of Greece: 85.88 million people against 10.41 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 5.7 times the size of Greece's, at $1.60T versus $280.64B.
Per person, Greece is the wealthier of the two: $26,948 against $18,599 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Greece | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.60T | $280.64B | 2025 | $1.32T / $257.14B |
| GDP per capita | $18,599 | Higher: $26,948 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 2.5% | 2025 | 58.5% / 2.7% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.5% | 8.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 60 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | Higher: $2,185 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | Higher: $1,161 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 10.41 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 10.42 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 46.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.34 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 yrs | Higher: 81.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 79% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 86% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 131,990 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 78.9/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.9 t | Lower: 5.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $8.02B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 3.1% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 147,000 | 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 2.1%.
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 60 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Greece: $2,185 against $1,001 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Turkey (Türkiye) is the far younger society: median age 33.5 versus 46.8 years.
Life expectancy is 4.4 years longer in Greece (81.8 vs 77.4).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 79%.
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 5.9 times the size of Greece: 783,562 km² versus 131,990 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Turkey (Türkiye) spends 3.1 times as much on defence as Greece: $24.98B versus $8.02B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Greece carries the heavier military burden: 3.1% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 147,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Greece?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Greece covers 131,990 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 5.9 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Greece?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 10.41 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Greece?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Greece is richer: $26,948 against $18,599. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $280.64B for Greece.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Greece?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $8.02B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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