Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has 3.4 times the population of Syria: 85.88 million people against 25.62 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 67 times the size of Syria's, at $1.60T versus $23.74B.
Per person, Turkey (Türkiye) is the wealthier of the two: $18,599 against $1,057 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | Syria | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.60T | $23.74B | 2025 / 2022 | $1.32T / — |
| GDP per capita | Higher: $18,599 | $1,057 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 3.6% | -0.2% | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 13.4% | 2025 / 2019 | 58.5% / — |
| Unemployment | Lower: 8.5% | 13.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 32 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | Higher: $659 | $4 | 2025 / 2022 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | — | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 25.62 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 24.26 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 3.8% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 23.3 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 2.66 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | Higher: 77.4 yrs | 72.6 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 72% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | Higher: 90% | 34% | 2025 / 2018 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 185,180 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 138.4/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 32 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | 5.9 t | Lower: 1.3 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $2.49B | 2024 / 2011 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 4.1% | 2024 / 2010 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 269,000 | 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) grew while the other economy contracted: 3.6% against -0.2%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 13.4%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Syria: a price level of 32 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Syria is the far younger society: median age 23.3 versus 33.5 years.
Life expectancy is 4.9 years longer in Turkey (Türkiye) (77.4 vs 72.6).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 72%.
Internet adoption is higher in Turkey (Türkiye) (90% vs 34% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 4.2 times the size of Syria: 783,562 km² versus 185,180 km².
The two share a land border, which shapes their trade, migration, and security relationship.
Military
Turkey (Türkiye) spends 10 times as much on defence as Syria: $24.98B versus $2.49B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Relative to its economy, Syria carries the heavier military burden: 4.1% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 269,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than Syria?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while Syria covers 185,180 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 4.2 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or Syria?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 25.62 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than Syria?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $1,057. Total GDP tells the same story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $23.74B for Syria.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or Syria?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $2.49B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).