Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has about 45% more people than Italy: 85.88 million against 58.92 million (2025).
Italy's economy is about 60% larger than Turkey (Türkiye)'s, at $2.55T versus $1.60T.
Per person, Italy is the wealthier of the two: $43,309 against $18,599 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Italy | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.60T | Higher: $2.55T | 2025 | $1.32T / $2.37T |
| GDP per capita | $18,599 | Higher: $43,309 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 0.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 1.5% | 2025 | 58.5% / 1.0% |
| Unemployment | 8.5% | Lower: 6.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 69 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | Higher: $3,994 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 58.92 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 60.92 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 48.2 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 yrs | Higher: 84.0 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 70% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 89% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 301,336 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 195.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 302 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.9 t | Lower: 5.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $37.96B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 338,000 | 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 much faster: 3.6% annual GDP growth versus 0.5%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 1.5%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Turkey (Türkiye): a price level of 41 versus 69 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Italy: $3,994 against $1,001 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Turkey (Türkiye) is the far younger society: median age 33.5 versus 48.2 years.
Life expectancy is 6.5 years longer in Italy (84.0 vs 77.4).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 70%.
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 2.6 times the size of Italy: 783,562 km² versus 301,336 km².
Military
Italy spends about 50% more on defence than Turkey (Türkiye): $37.96B versus $24.98B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 338,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Italy?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Italy covers 301,336 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 2.6 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Italy?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 58.92 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Italy?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Italy is richer: $43,309 against $18,599. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $2.55T for Italy.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Italy?
- Italy spends more: $37.96B versus $24.98B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).