Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has about 85% more people than Iraq: 85.88 million against 47.02 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 6.3 times the size of Iraq's, at $1.60T versus $254.37B.
Per person, Turkey (Türkiye) is the wealthier of the two: $18,599 against $5,410 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Iraq | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.60T | $254.37B | 2025 | $1.32T / $279.64B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $18,599 | $5,410 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | -2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 0.3% | 2025 | 58.5% / 4.4% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.5% | 15.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 38 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $659 | $269 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 47.02 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 42.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 2.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 20.8 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 3.17 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.4 yrs | 72.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 81% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 438,317 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 107.3/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 234 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.9 t | Lower: 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $6.18B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 2.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 459,000 | 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 -2.2%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 0.3%.
People and society
Iraq is the far younger society: median age 20.8 versus 33.5 years.
Life expectancy is 5.0 years longer in Turkey (Türkiye) (77.4 vs 72.4).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 79% larger than Iraq: 783,562 km² versus 438,317 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Turkey (Türkiye) spends 4.0 times as much on defence as Iraq: $24.98B versus $6.18B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 459,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Iraq?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Iraq covers 438,317 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 79% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Iraq?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 47.02 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Iraq?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $5,410. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $254.37B for Iraq.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Iraq?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $6.18B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).