Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the Ottoman Empire by reformer and national hero Mustafa KEMAL, known as Ataturk or “Father of the Turks.” One-party rule ended in 1950, and periods of instability and military coups have since fractured the multiparty democracy, in 1960, 1971, 1980, 1997, and 2016.
Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and NATO in 1952. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession talks with the EU in 2005. Turkey intervened militarily on Cyprus in 1974 to prevent a Greek takeover of the island and has since acted as patron state to the “Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus,” which only Turkey recognizes. The Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a US-designated terrorist organization, began a separatist insurgency in Turkey in 1984, and the struggle has long dominated the attention of Turkish security forces. In 2013, the Turkish Government and the PKK conducted negotiations aimed at ending the violence, but intense fighting resumed in 2015.
The Turkish Government conducted a referendum in 2017 in which voters approved constitutional amendments changing Turkey from a parliamentary to a presidential system.
Geography
Location
Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia (that portion of Turkey west of the Bosporus is geographically part of Europe), bordering the Black Sea, between Bulgaria and Georgia, and bordering the Aegean Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, between Greece and Syria
Geographic coordinates
39 00 N, 35 00 E
Map references
Middle East
Area
total : 783,562 sq km
land: 769,632 sq km
water: 13,930 sq km
comparison ranking: total 38
Area – comparative
slightly larger than Texas
Area comparison map:
Land boundaries
total: 2,816 km
border countries (8): Armenia 311 km; Azerbaijan 17 km; Bulgaria 223 km; Georgia 273 km; Greece 192 km; Iran 534 km; Iraq 367 km; Syria 899 km
Coastline
7,200 km
Maritime claims
territorial sea: 6 nm in the Aegean Sea
exclusive economic zone: in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR
12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea
Climate
temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior
Terrain
high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges
Elevation
highest point: Mount Ararat 5,137 m
lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m
mean elevation: 1,132 m
Natural resources
coal, iron ore, copper, chromium, antimony, mercury, gold, barite, borate, celestite (strontium), emery, feldspar, limestone, magnesite, marble, perlite, pumice, pyrites (sulfur), clay, arable land, hydropower
Land use
agricultural land: 50% (2022 est.)
arable land: 26.2% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 4.8% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 19% (2022 est.)
forest: 29.3% (2022 est.)
other: 20.7% (2022 est.)
Irrigated land
52,150 sq km (2022)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lake Beysehir – 650 sq km; Lake Egridir – 520 sq km
salt water lake(s): Lake Van – 3,740 sq km; Lake Tuz – 1,640 sq km;
Major rivers (by length in km)
Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) – 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) – 1,950 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Population distribution
the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest, where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast
Natural hazards
severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van; landslides; flooding
volcanism: limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier
Geography – note
strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link the Black and Aegean Seas; the 3% of Turkish territory north of the Straits lies in Europe and goes by the names of European Turkey, Eastern Thrace, or Turkish Thrace; the 97% of the country in Asia is referred to as Anatolia; Istanbul, which straddles the Bosporus, is the only metropolis in the world located on two continents; Mount Ararat, reputed to be the landing place of Noah’s ark, is in the far-eastern part of the country
People and Society
Population
total: 84,119,531 (2024 est.)
male: 42,247,430
female: 41,872,101
comparison rankings: total 18; female 19; male 18
Nationality
noun: Turk(s)
adjective: Turkish
Ethnic groups
Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 19%, other minorities 6-11% (2016 est.)
Languages
Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages
major-language sample(s):
The World Factbook, temel bilgi edinmek için vazgeçilmez bir kaynak. (Turkish)
ڕاستییەکانی جیهان، باشترین سەرچاوەیە بۆ زانیارییە بنەڕەتییەکان (Kurdish)
The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.
Turkish audio sample:
Kurdish audio sample:
Religions
Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)
Age structure
0-14 years: 21.7% (male 9,358,711/female 8,933,673)
15-64 years: 68.6% (male 29,219,389/female 28,494,315)
65 years and over: 9.6% (2024 est.) (male 3,669,330/female 4,444,113)
2024 population pyramid:
Dependency ratios
total dependency ratio: 45.8 (2024 est.)
youth dependency ratio: 31.7 (2024 est.)
elderly dependency ratio: 14.1 (2024 est.)
potential support ratio: 7.1 (2024 est.)
Median age
total: 34 years (2024 est.)
male: 33.4 years
female: 34.6 years
comparison ranking: total 108
Population growth rate
0.61% (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 139
Birth rate
13.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 122
Death rate
6.1 deaths/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 151
Net migration rate
-1.5 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 156
Population distribution
the most densely populated area is found around the Bosporus in the northwest, where 20% of the population lives in Istanbul; with the exception of Ankara, urban centers remain small and scattered throughout the interior of Anatolia; an overall pattern of peripheral development exists, particularly along the Aegean Sea coast in the west, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast
Urbanization
urban population: 77.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Major urban areas – population
15.848 million Istanbul, 5.397 million ANKARA (capital), 3.088 million Izmir, 2.086 million Bursa, 1.836 million Adana, 1.805 million Gaziantep (2023)
Sex ratio
at birth: 1.05 male(s)/female
0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female
15-64 years: 1.03 male(s)/female
65 years and over: 0.83 male(s)/female
total population: 1.01 male(s)/female (2024 est.)
Mother’s mean age at first birth
26.6 years (2020 est.)
Maternal mortality ratio
17 deaths/100,000 live births (2020 est.)
comparison ranking: 130
Infant mortality rate
total: 18.4 deaths/1,000 live births (2024 est.)
male: 19.9 deaths/1,000 live births
female: 16.7 deaths/1,000 live births
comparison ranking: total 83
Life expectancy at birth
total population: 76.7 years (2024 est.)
male: 74.4 years
female: 79.2 years
comparison ranking: total population 103
Total fertility rate
1.9 children born/woman (2024 est.)
comparison ranking: 119
Gross reproduction rate
0.92 (2024 est.)
Contraceptive prevalence rate
69.8% (2018)
Drinking water source
improved:
urban: 99.1% of population
rural: 98.7% of population
total: 99% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.9% of population
rural: 1.3% of population
total: 1% of population (2020 est.)
Health expenditure
4.6% of GDP (2021)
10% of national budget (2022 est.)
Physician density
2.24 physicians/1,000 population (2022)
Hospital bed density
3 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)
Sanitation facility access
improved:
urban: 99.8% of population
rural: 98.7% of population
total: 99.6% of population
unimproved:
urban: 0.2% of population
rural: 1.3% of population
total: 0.4% of population (2020 est.)
Obesity – adult prevalence rate
32.1% (2016)
comparison ranking: 17
Alcohol consumption per capita
total: 1.18 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
beer: 0.67 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
wine: 0.16 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
spirits: 0.35 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)
comparison ranking: total 147
Tobacco use
total: 30.1% (2025 est.)
male: 40.1% (2025 est.)
female: 20.1% (2025 est.)
comparison ranking: total 21
Children under the age of 5 years underweight
1.5% (2018/19)
comparison ranking: 105
Currently married women (ages 15-49)
65.4% (2023 est.)
Child marriage
women married by age 15: 2% (2018)
women married by age 18: 14.7% (2018)
Education expenditure
3.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
8.6% national budget (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: Education expenditure (% GDP) 149
Literacy
total population: 97% (2021 est.)
male: 99% (2021 est.)
female: 95% (2021 est.)
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)
total: 18 years
male: 19 years
female: 18 years (2020)
Environment
Environment – current issues
water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; land degradation; conservation of biodiversity
Environment – international agreements
party to: Air Pollution, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands
signed, but not ratified: Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Environmental Modification
Climate
temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior
Land use
agricultural land: 50% (2022 est.)
arable land: 26.2% (2022 est.)
permanent crops: 4.8% (2022 est.)
permanent pasture: 19% (2022 est.)
forest: 29.3% (2022 est.)
other: 20.7% (2022 est.)
Urbanization
urban population: 77.5% of total population (2023)
rate of urbanization: 1.11% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)
Air pollutants
particulate matter emissions: 23.25 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)
carbon dioxide emissions: 372.72 megatons (2016 est.)
methane emissions: 57.53 megatons (2020 est.)
Waste and recycling
municipal solid waste generated annually: 31.283 million tons (2015 est.)
Major lakes (area sq km)
fresh water lake(s): Lake Beysehir – 650 sq km; Lake Egridir – 520 sq km
salt water lake(s): Lake Van – 3,740 sq km; Lake Tuz – 1,640 sq km;
Major rivers (by length in km)
Euphrates river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) – 3,596 km; Tigris river source (shared with Syria, Iran, and Iraq [m]) – 1,950 km
note: [s] after country name indicates river source; [m] after country name indicates river mouth
Major watersheds (area sq km)
Indian Ocean drainage: (Persian Gulf) Tigris and Euphrates (918,044 sq km)
Total water withdrawal
municipal: 6.91 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
industrial: 1.03 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
agricultural: 54.27 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Total renewable water resources
211.6 billion cubic meters (2020 est.)
Geoparks
total global geoparks and regional networks: 1
global geoparks and regional networks: Kula-Salihli (2023)
Government
Country name
conventional long form: Republic of Turkey
conventional short form: Turkey
local long form: Turkey Cumhuriyeti
local short form: Turkey
etymology: the name means “Land of the Turks”
note: Turkiye is an approved English short-form name for Turkey
Government type
presidential republic
Capital
name: Ankara
geographic coordinates: 39 56 N, 32 52 E
time difference: UTC+3 (8 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)
etymology: the name probably derives from the Indo-European root word ang, meaning “bend” and relating to the settlement’s original location in a winding gorge; the city was referred to as Angora by the 13th century; the name was officially modified to Ankara in 1923 when the Republic of Turkey was founded
Administrative divisions
81 provinces (iller, singular – ili); Adana, Adiyaman, Afyonkarahisar, Agri, Aksaray, Amasya, Ankara, Antalya, Ardahan, Artvin, Aydin, Balikesir, Bartin, Batman, Bayburt, Bilecik, Bingol, Bitlis, Bolu, Burdur, Bursa, Canakkale, Cankiri, Corum, Denizli, Diyarbakir, Duzce, Edirne, Elazig, Erzincan, Erzurum, Eskisehir, Gaziantep, Giresun, Gumushane, Hakkari, Hatay, Igdir, Isparta, Istanbul, Izmir (Smyrna), Kahramanmaras, Karabuk, Karaman, Kars, Kastamonu, Kayseri, Kilis, Kirikkale, Kirklareli, Kirsehir, Kocaeli, Konya, Kutahya, Malatya, Manisa, Mardin, Mersin, Mugla, Mus, Nevsehir, Nigde, Ordu, Osmaniye, Rize, Sakarya, Samsun, Sanliurfa, Siirt, Sinop, Sirnak, Sivas, Tekirdag, Tokat, Trabzon (Trebizond), Tunceli, Usak, Van, Yalova, Yozgat, Zonguldak
Legal system
civil law system based on various European systems, notably the Swiss civil code
Constitution
history: several previous; latest ratified 9 November 1982
amendment process: proposed by written consent of at least one third of Grand National Assembly (GNA) of Turkey (TBMM) members; adoption of draft amendments requires two debates in plenary TBMM session and three-fifths majority vote of all GNA members; the president of the republic can request TBMM reconsideration of the amendment and, if readopted by two-thirds majority TBMM vote, the president may submit the amendment to a referendum; passage by referendum requires absolute majority vote
International law organization participation
has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt
Citizenship
citizenship by birth: no
citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkey
dual citizenship recognized: yes, but requires prior permission from the government
residency requirement for naturalization: 5 years
Suffrage
18 years of age; universal
Executive branch
chief of state: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 28 August 2014)
head of government: President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 9 July 2018)
cabinet: Council of Ministers appointed by the president
elections/appointments: president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); election last held on 14 May 2023 with a runoff on 28 May 2023 (next to be held in 2028)
election results:
2023: Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN reelected president in second round – Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (AKP) 52.2%, Kemal KILICDAROGLU (CHP) 47.8%
2018: Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN reelected president in first round – Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (AKP) 52.6%, Muharrem INCE (CHP) 30.6%, Selahattin DEMIRTAS (HDP) 8.4%, Meral AKSENER (IYI) 7.3%, other 1.1%
Legislative branch
legislature name: Grand National Assembly of Türkiye (Türkiye Büyük Millet Meclisi (T.B.M.M))
legislative structure: unicameral
number of seats: 600 (all directly elected)
electoral system: proportional representation
scope of elections: full renewal
term in office: 5 years
most recent election date: 5/14/2023
parties elected and seats per party: Justice and Development Party (AKP) (267); Republican People’s Party (CHP) (130); Green and the Left Party of the Future (YSGP) (57); Nationalist Action Party (MHP) (50); Good Party (İyi Party) (44); Other (52)
percentage of women in chamber: 19.9%
expected date of next election: May 2028
Judicial branch
highest court(s): Constitutional Court or Anayasa Mahkemesi (consists of the president, 2 vice presidents, and 12 judges); Court of Cassation (consists of about 390 judges and is organized into civil and penal chambers); Council of State (organized into 15 divisions — 14 judicial and 1 consultative — each with a division head and at least 5 members)
judge selection and term of office: Constitutional Court members – 3 appointed by the Grand National Assembly and 12 by the president of the republic; court president and 2 deputy court presidents appointed from among its members for 4-year terms; judges serve 12-year, nonrenewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Board of Judges and Prosecutors, a 13-member body of judicial officials; Court of Cassation judges serve until retirement at age 65; Council of State members appointed by the Board and by the president of the republic; members serve renewable, 4-year terms
subordinate courts: regional appeals courts; basic (first instance) courts; peace courts; aggravated crime courts; specialized courts, including administrative and audit
Political parties
Democracy and Progress Party or DEVA
Democrat Party or DP
Democratic Regions Party or DBP
Felicity Party (Saadet Party) or SP
Free Cause Party or HUDA PAR
Future Party (Gelecek Partisi) or GP
Good Party or IYI
Grand Unity Party or BBP
Justice and Development Party or AKP
Labor and Freedom Alliance (electoral alliance includes YSGP, HDP, TIP)
Nationalist Movement Party or MHP
New Welfare Party or YRP
Party of Greens and the Left Future or YSGP
People’s Alliance (electoral alliance includes AKP, BBP, MHP, YRP)
Peoples’ Democratic Party or HDP
Republican People’s Party or CHP
Workers’ Party of Turkey or TIP
Diplomatic representation in the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Sedat ÖNAL (since 17 June 2024)
chancery: 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
telephone: [1] (202) 612-6700
FAX: [1] (202) 612-6744
email address and website:
[email protected]
T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı – Turkish Embassy In Washington, D.C. (mfa.gov.tr)
consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, San Francisco
Diplomatic representation from the US
chief of mission: Ambassador Thomas J. BARRACK (since 14 May 2025)
embassy: 1480 Sokak No. 1, Cukurambar Mahallesi, 06530 Cankaya, Ankara
mailing address: 7000 Ankara Place, Washington, DC 20512-7000
telephone: [90] (312) 294-0000
FAX: [90] (312) 467-0019
email address and website:
[email protected]
https://tr.usembassy.gov/
consulate(s) general: Istanbul
consulate(s): Adana
International organization participation
ADB (nonregional member), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC, CBSS (observer), CD, CE, CERN (observer), CICA, CPLP (associate observer), D-8, EAPC, EBRD, ECO, EU (candidate country), FAO, FATF, G-20, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICRM, IDA, IDB, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), MIGA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OIC, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club (associate), PCA, PIF (partner), SCO (dialogue member), SELEC, UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, UNRWA, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC
note: Turkey is an EU candidate country whose satisfactory completion of accession criteria is required before being granted full EU membership
Independence
29 October 1923 (republic proclaimed, succeeding the Ottoman Empire)
National holiday
Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
Flag description
red with a vertical white crescent moon and five-pointed white star centered just outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely resemble the Ottoman Empire’s flag; the crescent moon and star serve as insignia for Turkic peoples; according to one interpretation, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a star in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors
National symbol(s)
vertical crescent moon with adjacent five-pointed star
National colors
red, white
National anthem
name: “Istiklal Marsi” (Independence March)
lyrics/music: Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR
note: lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem’s original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932
National heritage
total World Heritage Sites: 21 (19 cultural, 2 mixed)
selected World Heritage Site locales:
Archaeological Site of Troy (c); Ephesus (c); Diyarbakır Fortress and Hevsel Gardens Cultural Landscape (c); Hierapolis-Pamukkale (m); Göreme National Park and the Rock Sites of Cappadocia (m); Göbekli Tepe (c); Historic Areas of Istanbul (c); Selimiye Mosque and its Social Complex (c); Neolithic Site of Çatalhöyük (c); Bursa and Cumalıkızık: the Birth of the Ottoman Empire (c); Gordion (c); Great Mosque and Hospital of Divriği (c); Hattusha: the Hittite Capital (c); Nemrut Dağ (c); Xanthos-Letoon (c); City of Safranbolu (c); Pergamon and its Multi-Layered Cultural Landscape (c); Ephesus (c); Archaeological Site of Ani (c); Aphrodisias (c); Arslantepe Mound (c); Wooden Hypostyle Mosques of Medieval Anatolia (c); Turkmenistan (c)
Economy
Economic overview
upper-middle-income, diversified Middle Eastern economy; industrializing economy that maintains large agricultural base; key energy, tourism, and construction sectors; high inflation, interest rates, and foreign debt pose risk to financial stability
Real GDP (purchasing power parity)
$2.953 trillion (2023 est.)
$2.81 trillion (2022 est.)
$2.662 trillion (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 12
Real GDP growth rate
5.11% (2023 est.)
5.53% (2022 est.)
11.44% (2021 est.)
note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 45
Real GDP per capita
$34,600 (2023 est.)
$33,100 (2022 est.)
$31,600 (2021 est.)
note: data in 2021 dollars
comparison ranking: 70
GDP (official exchange rate)
$1.118 trillion (2023 est.)
note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate
Inflation rate (consumer prices)
58.5% (2024 est.)
53.9% (2023 est.)
72.3% (2022 est.)
note: annual % change based on consumer prices
comparison ranking: 212
GDP – composition, by sector of origin
agriculture: 6.2% (2023 est.)
industry: 28.4% (2023 est.)
services: 54.1% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data
comparison rankings: services 128; industry 72; agriculture 105
GDP – composition, by end use
household consumption: 59.4% (2023 est.)
government consumption: 13.1% (2023 est.)
investment in fixed capital: 31.9% (2023 est.)
investment in inventories: -1.9% (2023 est.)
exports of goods and services: 31.9% (2023 est.)
imports of goods and services: -34.4% (2023 est.)
note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection
Agricultural products
sugar beets, wheat, milk, tomatoes, barley, maize, potatoes, apples, grapes, watermelons (2023)
note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage
Industries
textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper
Industrial production growth rate
2.52% (2023 est.)
note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency
comparison ranking: 110
Labor force
36.084 million (2024 est.)
note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work
comparison ranking: 18
Unemployment rate
8.4% (2024 est.)
9.4% (2023 est.)
10.5% (2022 est.)
note: % of labor force seeking employment
comparison ranking: 148
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)
total: 15.6% (2024 est.)
male: 12.4% (2024 est.)
female: 21.2% (2024 est.)
note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment
comparison ranking: total 83
Population below poverty line
14.4% (2021 est.)
note: % of population with income below national poverty line
Gini Index coefficient – distribution of family income
44.4 (2021 est.)
note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality
comparison ranking: 24
Average household expenditures
on food: 22.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
on alcohol and tobacco: 2.3% of household expenditures (2023 est.)
Household income or consumption by percentage share
lowest 10%: 2% (2021 est.)
highest 10%: 34.7% (2021 est.)
note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population
Remittances
0.09% of GDP (2023 est.)
0.08% of GDP (2022 est.)
0.09% of GDP (2021 est.)
note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities
Budget
revenues: $234.92 billion (2022 est.)
expenditures: $269.146 billion (2022 est.)
note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenses converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated
Public debt
33.1% of GDP (2023 est.)
note: central government debt as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 161
Taxes and other revenues
18.5% (of GDP) (2023 est.)
note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP
comparison ranking: 96
Current account balance
-$9.973 billion (2024 est.)
-$39.877 billion (2023 est.)
-$46.283 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars
comparison ranking: 191
Exports
$372.756 billion (2024 est.)
$357.588 billion (2023 est.)
$346.602 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – exports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 26
Exports – partners
Germany 9%, USA 6%, UK 6%, UAE 5%, Iraq 5% (2023)
note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports
Exports – commodities
garments, cars, gold, refined petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories (2023)
note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars
Imports
$367.022 billion (2024 est.)
$386.602 billion (2023 est.)
$383.7 billion (2022 est.)
note: balance of payments – imports of goods and services in current dollars
comparison ranking: 24
Imports – partners
China 13%, Russia 9%, Germany 9%, Switzerland 6%, USA 5% (2023)
note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports
Imports – commodities
gold, refined petroleum, cars, plastics, natural gas (2023)
note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold
$90.859 billion (2024 est.)
$140.868 billion (2023 est.)
$128.735 billion (2022 est.)
note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars
comparison ranking: 28
Debt – external
$149.654 billion (2023 est.)
note: present value of external debt in current US dollars
comparison ranking: 6
Exchange rates
Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar –
Exchange rates:
32.806 (2024 est.)
23.739 (2023 est.)
16.549 (2022 est.)
8.85 (2021 est.)
7.009 (2020 est.)
Energy
Electricity access
electrification – total population: 100% (2022 est.)
Electricity
installed generating capacity: 106.281 million kW (2023 est.)
consumption: 285.177 billion kWh (2023 est.)
exports: 1.993 billion kWh (2023 est.)
imports: 5.892 billion kWh (2023 est.)
transmission/distribution losses: 28.964 billion kWh (2023 est.)
comparison rankings: transmission/distribution losses 198; imports 41; exports 60; consumption 16; installed generating capacity 16
Electricity generation sources
fossil fuels: 57.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
solar: 6.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
wind: 10.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
hydroelectricity: 19.9% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
geothermal: 2.8% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
biomass and waste: 2.6% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)
Nuclear energy
Number of nuclear reactors under construction: 4 (2025)
Coal
production: 82.534 million metric tons (2023 est.)
consumption: 124.183 million metric tons (2023 est.)
exports: 685,000 metric tons (2023 est.)
imports: 41.119 million metric tons (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 10.975 billion metric tons (2023 est.)
Petroleum
total petroleum production: 83,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)
refined petroleum consumption: 1.107 million bbl/day (2024 est.)
crude oil estimated reserves: 366 million barrels (2021 est.)
Natural gas
production: 807.281 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
consumption: 50.211 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
exports: 896.281 million cubic meters (2023 est.)
imports: 50.484 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)
proven reserves: 3.794 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)
Carbon dioxide emissions
399.173 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from coal and metallurgical coke: 155.26 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from petroleum and other liquids: 147.211 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
from consumed natural gas: 96.703 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total emissions 15
Energy consumption per capita
70.521 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: 71
Communications
Telephones – fixed lines
total subscriptions: 9.926 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 11 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 18
Telephones – mobile cellular
total subscriptions: 92.2 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 106 (2022 est.)
comparison ranking: total subscriptions 19
Broadcast media
Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national TV stations and 567 private regional and local TV stations; multi-channel cable TV available; 1,007 private radio stations (2019)
Internet country code
.tr
Internet users
percent of population: 87% (2024 est.)
Broadband – fixed subscriptions
total: 19.6 million (2023 est.)
subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 22 (2023 est.)
comparison ranking: total 14
Transportation
Civil aircraft registration country code prefix
TC
Airports
116 (2025)
comparison ranking: 46
Heliports
240 (2025)
comparison ranking: 13
Railways
total: 11,497 km (2018)
standard gauge: 11,497 km (2018) 1.435-m gauge (1.435 km high speed train)
Merchant marine
total: 1,170 (2023)
by type: bulk carrier 43, container ship 43, general cargo 223, oil tanker 134, other 727
comparison ranking: total 22
Ports
total ports: 54 (2024)
large: 3
medium: 3
small: 6
very small: 42
ports with oil terminals: 28
key ports: Haydarpasa, Istanbul, Izmir, Mersin, Nemrut Limani Bay, Samsun
Military and Security
Military and security forces
Turkish Armed Forces (TAF; Türk Silahlı Kuvvetleri, TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Türk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri)
Ministry of Interior: Gendarmerie General Command (aka Gendarmerie of the Turkish Republic), Turkish Coast Guard Command, General Directorate of Security (National Police) (2025)
note: the Gendarmerie (Jandarma) is responsible for the maintenance of the public order in areas that fall outside the jurisdiction of police forces (generally in rural areas); in wartime, the Gendarmerie and Coast Guard would be placed under the operational control of the Land Forces and Naval Forces, respectively
Military expenditures
2.1% of GDP (2024 est.)
1.6% of GDP (2023 est.)
1.4% of GDP (2022)
1.6% of GDP (2021)
1.9% of GDP (2020)
Military and security service personnel strengths
approximately 480,000 active-duty Armed Forces (380,000 Army; 50,000 Navy; 50,000 Air Force); approximately 150,000 Gendarmerie (2024)
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions
the military’s inventory is comprised of domestically produced, European (particularly from Germany), and US weapons and equipment, as well as some Chinese, Russian, and South Korean acquisitions; it is a mix of older and modern weapons systems; Türkiye has a defense industry capable of producing a range of weapons systems for both export and internal use, including armored vehicles, naval vessels, and unmanned aerial vehicles/drones; Türkiye’s defense industry also partners with other countries for defense production (2024)
Military service age and obligation
mandatory military service for men at age 20; service can be delayed if in university or in certain professions (researchers, professionals, and athletic, or those with artistic talents have the right to postpone military service until the age of 35); 6-12 months service; women may volunteer (2023)
note 1: after completing six months of service, if a conscripted soldier wants to and is suitable for extending his military service, he may do so for an additional six months in return for a monthly salary; all male Turkish citizens over the age of 20 are required to undergo a one month military training period, but they can obtain an exemption from the remaining 5 months of their mandatory service by paying a fee
note 2: as of 2021, women made up about 0.4% of the military’s full-time personnel
Military deployments
estimated 2-300 Azerbaijan; 250 Bosnia-Herzegovina (EUFOR); approximately 30-35,000 Cyprus; 800 Kosovo (NATO/KFOR); 130 Lebanon (UNIFIL); estimated 500 Libya; up to 5,000 Qatar; approximately 800 Somalia (2024)
note: Turkey maintains military forces in both Iraq and Syria; size estimates vary as some forces are long-term deployments while others are deployed for specific operations
Military – note
the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) have a range of responsibilities, including protecting the country’s territory and sovereignty, participating in international peacekeeping operations, fulfilling Türkiye’s military commitments to NATO, providing disaster/humanitarian relief and assistance to domestic law enforcement if requested by civil authorities, and supporting the country’s overall national security interests; the TAF also has overall responsibility for the security of Türkiye’s borders; Türkiye is active in international peacekeeping and other security operations under the EU, NATO, and the UN, as well as under bilateral agreements with some countries; the TAF has established expeditionary military bases in northern Cyprus, Qatar, Somalia, and Sudan
Türkiye has been a member of NATO since 1952 and hosts a considerable NATO and US military presence, including the headquarters for a NATO Land Command and a Rapid Deployment Corps, multiple airbases for NATO and US aircraft, NATO air/missile defense systems, and training centers; the TAF is the second-largest military in NATO behind the US and exercises regularly with NATO partners; Türkiye’s geographic location at the southeastern flank of the Alliance give it and the TAF a critical role in regional security
the TAF is a large, well-equipped force comprised of a mix of professionals and conscripts; it has considerable operational experience; in addition to peacekeeping and military assistance operations in recent years in such places as Afghanistan (NATO), Bosnia and Herzegovina (EU), Kosovo (NATO), Lebanon (UN), and Somalia (bilateral), it has conducted combat missions of varying duration and scale in Iraq, Libya, and Syria; ; in Syria, it occupies a large swatch of territory and maintain thousands of troops; since the 1980s, the TAF has been involved in a protracted counterinsurgency campaign against the US-designated terrorist group the Kurdistan Worker’s Party or PKK, a Kurdish militant political organization and armed guerrilla movement, which historically operated throughout Kurdistan but is now primarily based in the mountainous Kurdish-majority regions of southeastern Türkiye and northern Iraq; other key areas of concern for the TAF include tensions with fellow NATO member Greece over territorial disputes and Cyprus, tensions between neighboring Armenia and Azerbaijan, conflict in the Middle East, threats from the terrorist groups al-Qa’ida and the Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham, and the Russia-Ukraine war; under a long-range (2033) strategic plan, the TAF continues an effort to modernize its equipment and force structure
Türkiye’s military has a rich history that it traces back to 200 B.C., although the modern TAF was formed following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire at the conclusion of the Turkish War of Independence (1919-1923); the TAF has traditionally had a significant influence in the country as the “guardian” of Turkish politics, but its political role was diminished after the failed 2016 coup attempt; the military has a substantial stake in Türkiye’s economy through a holding company that is involved in the automotive, energy, finance, and logistics sectors, as well as iron and steel production (2024)
Space
Space agency/agencies
Turkish Space Agency (TUA; established 2018); TÜBİTAK Space Technologies Research Institute (UZAY; established in 1985 as Ankara Electronics Research and Development Institute) (2025)
Space launch site(s)
rocket test launch site on the Black Sea in Sinop Province; constructing a rocket launch facility in Somalia as of early 2025 (2025)
Space program overview
has an ambitious space program with a large focus on satellites, software development, ground station technologies, and building up the country’s space industries; in recent years has also initiated a space launch program with the goal of placing domestically produced satellites into orbit independently and a probe on the Moon; manufactures and operates remote sensing and telecommunications satellites, as well as satellite components; has a space/satellite launch vehicle program; space sector is heavily import-reliant, particularly at the component level; has established relations with more than 25 foreign space agencies and corporations, including those of Azerbaijan, China, France, India, Japan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Russia, South Korea, Ukraine, and the US, as well as the European Space Agency; has state-owned rocket development and satellite communications companies, including some under the Ministry of Defense (2025)
note: further details about the key activities, programs, and milestones of the country’s space program, as well as government spending estimates on the space sector, appear in the Space Programs reference guide
Terrorism
Terrorist group(s)
Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS); Islamic Movement of Uzbekistan (IMU); Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)/Qods Force; Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK); al-Qa’ida; Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C)
note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide
Transnational Issues
Refugees and internally displaced persons
refugees (country of origin): 10,244 (Iraq) (mid-year 2022); 41,665 (Ukraine) (as of 15 February 2024) (2023); 3,122,899 (Syria) (2024)
IDPs: 1.099 million (displaced from 1984-2005 because of fighting between the Kurdish PKK and Turkish military; most IDPs are Kurds from eastern and southeastern provinces; no information available on persons displaced by development projects) (2022)
stateless persons: 117 (2018)
Illicit drugs
a significant transit country for illicit drug trafficking; an increase of heroin and methamphetamine seizures along the Turkiye-Iran border; Syrian drug traffickers play a significant role in Turkiye’s drug trade; domestic Illegal drug use relatively low compared to countries in the region
