Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has about 75% more people than Spain: 85.88 million against 49.36 million (2025).
Spain's economy is 19% larger than Turkey (Türkiye)'s, at $1.91T versus $1.60T.
Per person, Spain is the wealthier of the two: $38,627 against $18,599 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Spain | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $1.60T | Higher: $1.91T | 2025 | $1.32T / $1.72T |
| GDP per capita | $18,599 | Higher: $38,627 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | 2.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 2.7% | 2025 | 58.5% / 2.8% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.5% | 10.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 65 | 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | Higher: $3,574 | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | Higher: $1,561 | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 49.36 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 47.28 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 1.0% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 45.9 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.23 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 yrs | Higher: 83.9 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 81% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 96% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 505,992 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 97.5/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 220 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.9 t | Lower: 4.6 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $24.62B | 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 1.4% | 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 199,000 | 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 2.8%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 2.7%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Turkey (Türkiye): a price level of 41 versus 65 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Spain: $3,574 against $1,001 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Turkey (Türkiye) is the far younger society: median age 33.5 versus 45.9 years.
Life expectancy is 6.5 years longer in Spain (83.9 vs 77.4).
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 55% larger than Spain: 783,562 km² versus 505,992 km².
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $24.98B (Turkey (Türkiye)) and $24.62B (Spain).
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 199,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Spain?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Spain covers 505,992 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 55% larger than the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Spain?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 49.36 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Spain?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Spain is richer: $38,627 against $18,599. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $1.91T for Spain.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Spain?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $24.62B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).