Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has about 65% more people than South Korea: 85.88 million against 51.68 million (2025).
South Korea's economy is 17% larger than Turkey (Türkiye)'s, at $1.87T versus $1.60T.
Per person, South Korea is the wealthier of the two: $36,227 against $18,599 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | South Korea | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.60T | Higher: $1.87T | 2025 | $1.32T / $1.71T |
| GDP per capita | $18,599 | Higher: $36,227 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 2.1% | 2025 | 58.5% / 2.3% |
| Unemployment | 8.5% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 57 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | Higher: $3,168 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | Higher: $1,511 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | $3.84 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 51.68 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 51.49 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | -0.1% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 45.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 0.75 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 yrs | Higher: 83.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 98% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 100,210 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 515.8/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 513 Mt | 584 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.9 t | 11.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $47.57B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 2.6% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 569,000 | 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 1.0%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.1%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Turkey (Türkiye): a price level of 41 versus 57 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour South Korea: $3,168 against $1,001 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Turkey (Türkiye) is the far younger society: median age 33.5 versus 45.6 years.
Life expectancy is 6.2 years longer in South Korea (83.6 vs 77.4).
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 7.8 times the size of South Korea: 783,562 km² versus 100,210 km².
South Korea is far more densely settled: 516 people per km² against 110.
Military
South Korea spends about 90% more on defence than Turkey (Türkiye): $47.57B versus $24.98B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
South Korea fields the larger armed forces: 569,000 personnel against 512,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than South Korea?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while South Korea covers 100,210 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 7.8 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or South Korea?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 51.68 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than South Korea?
- Measured by GDP per capita, South Korea is richer: $36,227 against $18,599. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $1.87T for South Korea.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or South Korea?
- South Korea spends more: $47.57B versus $24.98B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
Related comparisons
Full profiles
Every comparison for Turkey (Türkiye) · South Korea