Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has 2.4 times the population of Malaysia: 85.88 million people against 35.98 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 3.4 times the size of Malaysia's, at $1.60T versus $472.19B.
Per person, Turkey (Türkiye) is the wealthier of the two: $18,599 against $13,125 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Malaysia | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.60T | $472.19B | 2025 | $1.32T / $421.97B |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $18,599 | $13,125 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.6% | Higher: 5.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 1.4% | 2025 | 58.5% / 1.8% |
| Unemployment | 8.5% | Lower: 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 32 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | Higher: $1,001 | $698 | 2025 / 2020 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $659 | $328 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | $3.57 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 35.98 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 34.91 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 31.0 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.53 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.4 yrs | 76.8 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 77% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 98% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 330,803 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 108.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 290 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.9 t | 8.2 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $4.31B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.0% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 136,000 | 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
Malaysia is growing faster: 5.2% annual GDP growth versus 3.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 1.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Malaysia: a price level of 32 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Turkey (Türkiye): $1,001 against $698 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Malaysia is the younger society: median age 31.0 versus 33.5 years.
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 77%.
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 2.4 times the size of Malaysia: 783,562 km² versus 330,803 km².
Military
Turkey (Türkiye) spends 5.8 times as much on defence as Malaysia: $24.98B versus $4.31B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Turkey (Türkiye) carries the heavier military burden: 1.9% of GDP versus 1.0%.
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 136,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Malaysia?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Malaysia covers 330,803 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Malaysia?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 35.98 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Malaysia?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $13,125. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $472.19B for Malaysia.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Malaysia?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $4.31B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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