Updated
Overview
Turkey (Türkiye) has 7.5 times the population of the United Arab Emirates: 85.88 million people against 11.51 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 2.9 times the size of the United Arab Emirates', at $1.60T versus $552.32B.
Per person, the United Arab Emirates is the wealthier of the two: $50,274 against $18,599 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Turkey (Türkiye) | United Arab Emirates | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | Higher: $1.60T | $552.32B | 2025 / 2024 | $1.32T / $537.08B |
| GDP per capita | $18,599 | Higher: $50,274 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| GDP growth | 3.6% | Higher: 4.0% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Inflation | 34.9% | Lower: 1.3% | 2025 | 58.5% / 1.7% |
| Unemployment | 8.5% | Lower: 2.2% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 41 | 63 | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $1,001 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $659 | — | 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $6.91 | $5.17 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 85.88 million | 11.51 million | 2025 | 84.63 million / 10.09 million |
| Population growth | 0.4% | 4.7% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.5 yrs | 31.6 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.62 | 1.21 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 77.4 yrs | Higher: 83.1 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 89% | 86% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 90% | Higher: 100% | 2025 / 2024 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 783,562 km² | 83,600 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 109.6/km² | 137.7/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | 513 Mt | Lower: 222 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 5.9 t | 20.1 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $24.98B | $22.76B | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.9% | 5.6% | 2024 / 2014 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 512,000 | 63,000 | 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
Both economies are growing at a similar pace (3.6% for Turkey (Türkiye), 4.0% for the United Arab Emirates).
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 1.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Turkey (Türkiye): a price level of 41 versus 63 on a US=100 scale.
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 33.5 (Turkey (Türkiye)) and 31.6 (the United Arab Emirates).
Life expectancy is 5.6 years longer in the United Arab Emirates (83.1 vs 77.4).
Internet adoption is higher in the United Arab Emirates (100% vs 90% of the population).
Geography
By land area, Turkey (Türkiye) is 9.4 times the size of the United Arab Emirates: 783,562 km² versus 83,600 km².
Both sit in the same broad region but do not share a border.
Military
Defence budgets are of similar magnitude: $24.98B (Turkey (Türkiye)) and $22.76B (the United Arab Emirates).
Relative to its economy, the United Arab Emirates carries the heavier military burden: 5.6% of GDP versus 1.9%.
Turkey (Türkiye) fields the larger armed forces: 512,000 personnel against 63,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) bigger than the United Arab Emirates?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km² while the United Arab Emirates covers 83,600 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 9.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Turkey (Türkiye) or the United Arab Emirates?
- Turkey (Türkiye) has the larger population: 85.88 million versus 11.51 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Turkey (Türkiye) richer than the United Arab Emirates?
- Measured by GDP per capita, the United Arab Emirates is richer: $50,274 against $18,599. Total GDP tells a different story: $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye) versus $552.32B for the United Arab Emirates.
- Who spends more on their military, Turkey (Türkiye) or the United Arab Emirates?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $22.76B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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