Country Profile: Turkey

Turkey, officially known as the Republic of Turkey, is a transcontinental nation situated at the crossroads of Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia. With a population of approximately 84.6 million, it boasts a diverse ethnic composition, predominantly Turkish, with a significant Kurdish minority. The country has a mixed economy characterized by a large agricultural sector and robust industries such as textiles, automotive, and electronics, yet faces challenges like high inflation and public debt. Governed as a presidential republic, Turkey has undergone significant political changes, especially since the transition from a parliamentary to a presidential system in 2017.

Geography

Turkey's geographical positioning is strategic, controlling crucial waterways that link the Black Sea to the Aegean. It covers an area of about 783,562 square kilometers and features a varied terrain, including mountain ranges and the high central plateau of Anatolia. The country experiences a temperate climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, contributing to its agricultural productivity.

7,200 km of coastline along the Black, Aegean, and Mediterranean Seas
50.1% of land dedicated to agricultural use (2023)
29.3% of total land area covered by forests (2023)
5,137 m is the highest elevation at Mount Ararat
2,816 km of land borders with eight countries

People and Society

Turkey has a population of approximately 84.6 million, with a youth dependency ratio of 31.2% and a median age of 34.4 years. The predominant religion is Islam (99.8%), and Turkish is the official language. Urban areas continue to grow, with around 77.5% of the population living in cities, highlighting the urbanization trend in the country.

21.7% of the population is aged 0-14 years (2025 est.)
68.6% of the population is aged 15-64 years (2025 est.)
76.7 years is the life expectancy at birth (2024 est.)
97.3% literacy rate among the total population (2021 est.)
59.6% of women aged 15-49 are currently married (2021 est.)

Economy

Turkey's economy is categorized as upper-middle-income, marked by significant industrial and agricultural sectors. In 2024, the real GDP (PPP) is projected to be $3.018 trillion, with a growth rate of 3.2%. However, the economy faces hurdles such as high inflation, which is estimated at 58.5% for 2024, and an unemployment rate of 8.5%.

$1.323 trillion is the GDP at official exchange rates (2024 est.)
$372.756 billion is projected for exports in 2024
5.6% of GDP is agriculture (2024 est.)
56.8% of GDP is services (2024 est.)
18.5% is the tax revenue as a percentage of GDP (2023 est.)

Government

Turkey operates as a presidential republic, with Ankara serving as its capital. The governmental structure includes a unicameral legislature known as the Grand National Assembly. President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has been in office since 2014, with the latest elections held in May 2023.

81 provinces across the country
The last constitutional amendment was ratified in 1982
600 members in the Grand National Assembly
Universal suffrage is available for citizens aged 18 and over
19.9% of the legislative chamber is comprised of women

Military and Security

The Turkish Armed Forces (TAF) play a crucial role in national defense, consisting of Land, Naval, and Air Forces. As of 2025, there are approximately 495,000 active military personnel, with military expenditures constituting 2.3% of GDP.

250 personnel deployed in Bosnia-Herzegovina (2025)
30,000 personnel in Cyprus
Military service is compulsory for men aged 20-41
Turkey has been a NATO member since 1952
The TAF is the second-largest military in NATO

Energy

Turkey's energy sector is diversifying, aiming for sustainability alongside meeting rising demand. In 2023, total electricity consumption reached 285.177 billion kWh. The installed generating capacity is primarily composed of fossil fuels and renewable sources.

100% of the population has electricity access (2022 est.)
57.1% of total electricity capacity derives from fossil fuels (2023)
82.534 million metric tons of coal produced in 2023
4 nuclear reactors are under construction (2025)
50.484 billion cubic meters of natural gas imported in 2023

Transportation

Turkey has an extensive transportation infrastructure, including numerous air and sea ports. The country is well-equipped with a total of 116 airports and 11,497 km of railways, supporting both domestic and international connectivity.

54 total ports (2024)
1,170 vessels in the merchant marine (2023)
240 heliports available (2025)
3 large ports facilitating major trade
9.926 million fixed-line telephone subscriptions (2023)

Communications

Turkey’s communication networks are modern and widely accessible, with a high percentage of internet users. In 2024, about 87% of the population is estimated to be internet users.

94.3 million mobile cellular subscriptions (2024)
19.6 million fixed broadband subscriptions (2023)
11 fixed-line telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants (2023)
Turkish Radio and Television Corporation operates numerous media outlets
The internet country code is .tr

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	84,625,585 (2025 est.)
Area	783,562 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$3.018 trillion (2024 est.)
Energy Consumption per Capita	70.521 million Btu/person (2023 est.)
Birth Rate	13.56 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)
Unemployment Rate	8.5% (2024 est.)
Life Expectancy at Birth	76.7 years (2024 est.)
Literacy Rate	97.3% (2021 est.)
Military Expenditure as % of GDP	2.3% (2025 est.)
Urban Population	77.5% of total population (2023)