Updated
Overview
Vietnam has 18% more people than Turkey (Türkiye): 101.60 million against 85.88 million (2025).
Turkey (Türkiye)'s economy is 3.1 times the size of Vietnam's, at $1.60T versus $514.70B.
Per person, Turkey (Türkiye) is the wealthier of the two: $18,599 against $5,066 in GDP per capita.
Population
GDP (nominal)
GDP per capita
The full table
| Indicator | Vietnam | Turkey (Türkiye) | Years | Factbook, Jan 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | ||||
| GDP (nominal) | $514.70B | Higher: $1.60T | 2025 | $476.39B / $1.32T |
| GDP per capita | $5,066 | Higher: $18,599 | 2025 | — / — |
| GDP growth | Higher: 8.0% | 3.6% | 2025 | — / — |
| Inflation | Lower: 3.3% | 34.9% | 2025 | 3.6% / 58.5% |
| Unemployment | Lower: 1.5% | 8.5% | 2025 | — / — |
| Price level (US=100) | 29 | 41 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Avg monthly earnings | $355 | Higher: $1,001 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Minimum wage | $205 | Higher: $659 | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Big Mac price | $2.89 | $6.91 | — | — / — |
| People | ||||
| Population | 101.60 million | 85.88 million | 2025 | 106.69 million / 84.63 million |
| Population growth | 0.6% | 0.4% | 2025 | — / — |
| Median age | 33.4 yrs | 33.5 yrs | 2025 | — / — |
| Fertility rate | 1.88 | 1.62 | 2025 | — / — |
| Life expectancy | 74.7 yrs | Higher: 77.4 yrs | 2024 | — / — |
| Urban population | 39% | 89% | 2025 | — / — |
| Internet users | 84% | Higher: 90% | 2024 / 2025 | — / — |
| Geography | ||||
| Area | 331,212 km² | 783,562 km² | — | — / — |
| Population density | 306.7/km² | 109.6/km² | 2025 | — / — |
| Environment | ||||
| CO2 emissions | Lower: 371 Mt | 513 Mt | 2024 | — / — |
| CO2 per capita | Lower: 3.7 t | 5.9 t | 2024 | — / — |
| Military | ||||
| Military spending | $5.50B | $24.98B | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Military spending (% GDP) | 1.8% | 1.9% | 2018 / 2024 | — / — |
| Armed forces personnel | 522,000 | 512,000 | 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
Vietnam is growing much faster: 8.0% annual GDP growth versus 3.6%.
Inflation is a serious concern in Turkey (Türkiye) at 34.9%, while the other economy sits at 3.3%.
Day-to-day prices are noticeably lower in Vietnam: a price level of 29 versus 41 on a US=100 scale.
Average monthly earnings favour Turkey (Türkiye): $1,001 against $355 (ILOSTAT, latest available years).
People and society
Demographically the two are similar, with median ages of 33.4 (Vietnam) and 33.5 (Turkey (Türkiye)).
Life expectancy is 2.7 years longer in Turkey (Türkiye) (77.4 vs 74.7).
Turkey (Türkiye) is considerably more urbanized: 89% of people live in cities, against 39%.
Geography
By land area, Vietnam is 58% smaller than Turkey (Türkiye): 331,212 km² versus 783,562 km².
Vietnam is far more densely settled: 307 people per km² against 110.
Military
Turkey (Türkiye) spends 4.5 times as much on defence as Vietnam: $24.98B versus $5.50B (World Bank/SIPRI data).
Vietnam fields the larger armed forces: 522,000 personnel against 512,000 (note: personnel data lags; observation years shown in the table).
Frequently asked
- Is Vietnam bigger than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Turkey (Türkiye) is larger by land area. Vietnam covers 331,212 km² while Turkey (Türkiye) covers 783,562 km², so Turkey (Türkiye) is 2.4 times the size of the other.
- Which has more people, Vietnam or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Vietnam has the larger population: 101.60 million versus 85.88 million (World Bank, 2025).
- Is Vietnam richer than Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Measured by GDP per capita, Turkey (Türkiye) is richer: $18,599 against $5,066. Total GDP tells the same story: $514.70B for Vietnam versus $1.60T for Turkey (Türkiye).
- Who spends more on their military, Vietnam or Turkey (Türkiye)?
- Turkey (Türkiye) spends more: $24.98B versus $5.50B per year (World Bank, SIPRI-derived data; observation years vary).
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