Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has 8.5 times the population of Israel: 85.88 million people against 10.12 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 2.6 times the size of Israel's, at $1.60T versus $610.78B.
Per person, Israel is the wealthier of the two: $60,337 against $18,599 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Israel | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.60T | $610.78B | 2025 | $1.32T / $540.38B |
| GDP per capita | $18,599 | Higher: $60,337 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 2.9% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 3.0% | 2025 | 58.5% / 3.1% |
| Unemployment | 8.5% | Lower: 3.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 101 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | Higher: $3,383 | 2025 / 2021 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | Higher: $1,589 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | $7.67 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 10.12 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 9.40 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 29.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 2.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 yrs | Higher: 83.2 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 92% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 88% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 20,770 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 487.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 53 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.9 t | Lower: 5.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $46.51B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 8.8% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 178,000 | 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 2.9%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 3.0%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Turkey (Türkiye): a price level of 41 versus 101 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Israel: $3,383 against $1,001 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Israel is the younger society: median age 29.2 versus 33.5 years.
Life expectancy is 5.8 years longer in Israel (83.2 vs 77.4).
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 38 times the size of Israel: 783,562 km² versus 20,770 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Israel is far more densely settled: 487 people per km² against 110.
Military
Israel spends about 85% more on defence than Turkey (Türkiye): $46.51B versus $24.98B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Israel carries the heavier military burden: 8.8% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 178,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Israel?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Israel covers 20,770 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 38 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Israel?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 10.12 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Israel?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Israel is richer: $60,337 against $18,599. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $610.78B for Israel.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Israel?
- Israel spends more: $46.51B versus $24.98B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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