Country Profile: Turkey

Turkey, a transcontinental nation straddling Southeastern Europe and Southwestern Asia, boasts a rich history dating back to the remnants of the Ottoman Empire. With a population of over 84 million, it represents a diverse society marked by a majority Turkish ethnic group and a significant Kurdish minority. Economically, Turkey is characterized as an upper-middle-income nation with a mixed economy that incorporates a large agricultural sector alongside burgeoning energy and construction industries. The governance structure has evolved into a presidential republic, particularly after the 2017 referendum that shifted from a parliamentary system.

Geography

Turkey's location bridges Europe and Asia, with the Bosporus Strait as a natural divider. The country covers an area of 783,562 square kilometers, slightly larger than Texas, and features a varied terrain that includes high plateaus, coastal plains, and mountain ranges. It has a coastline stretching 7,200 kilometers along the Black Sea, Aegean Sea, and Mediterranean Sea.

2,816 km of land boundaries shared with eight countries.
Highest point: Mount Ararat at 5,137 m.
Climate: Temperate with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.

People and Society

With an estimated population of 84.1 million in 2024, Turkey has a diverse demographic makeup, predominantly Turkish (70-75%) with a significant Kurdish population (19%). The country has a youthful median age of 34 years and boasts a literacy rate of 97.3%. Social structures show a high urbanization rate, with 77.5% of the population living in urban areas.

Life expectancy: 76.7 years in 2024.
Population growth rate: 0.61%.
Religious composition: Approximately 99.8% Muslim.

Economy

Turkey's economy is diverse and classified as upper-middle-income with a GDP estimated at $3.018 trillion in 2024. Key sectors include agriculture (5.6%), industry (25.9%), and services (56.8%). However, the economy is challenged by high inflation and significant public debt levels.

Real GDP per capita: $35,300 (2024 est.).
Unemployment rate: Estimated at 8.5% in 2024.
Public debt: Approximately 33.1% of GDP (2023 est.).

Government

The Republic of Turkey operates under a presidential republic, with Ankara as its capital. The government comprises an executive branch led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, a unicameral legislature called the Grand National Assembly, and an independent judiciary. Citizens participate in elections at the age of 18.

Number of provinces: 81.
Most recent presidential election: May 2023, Erdoğan re-elected with 52.2% of the vote.
Legal system: Based on civil law influenced by the Swiss legal framework.

Military and Security

Turkey maintains a robust military presence with approximately 495,000 active personnel and a significant Gendarmerie force. The military budget was estimated at 2.1% of GDP for 2024. Turkey's military history is extensive, dating back over two millennia, and it plays a crucial role in regional security and NATO commitments.

Military expenditures: 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.).
Mandatory military service: Required for men at age 20, with a service duration of 6-12 months.
Active military deployments include 30,000 personnel in Cyprus.

Energy

Turkey's energy sector is dominated by fossil fuels, accounting for 57.1% of the total generating capacity in 2023. The country has made strides in renewable energy, particularly through hydroelectric and wind energy sources.

Total electricity consumption: 285.177 billion kWh (2023).
Installed generating capacity: 106.281 million kW (2023).
Electricity access: 100% of the population (2022 est.).

Environment

Turkey faces environmental challenges such as water and air pollution, deforestation, and biodiversity conservation. The government participates in multiple international environmental agreements aimed at tackling these issues.

Agricultural land: 50.1% of total land area (2023).
Urban population: 77.5% of the total population (2023).
Carbon dioxide emissions: Approximately 399.173 million metric tonnes (2023 est.).

Transportation

Turkey's transportation infrastructure includes an extensive network of railways, highways, and airports. The country has a significant maritime presence, with a total of 116 airports and a merchant marine fleet of 1,170 ships.

Total railways: 11,497 km (2018).
Total ports: 54 (2024).
Heliports: 240 (2025).

Communications

With a rapidly developing telecommunications sector, Turkey has a high rate of mobile phone subscriptions and internet usage.

Mobile cellular subscriptions: 92.2 million (2023).
Internet users: Approximately 87% of the population (2024 est.).
Broadband subscriptions: 19.6 million (2023).

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	84,119,531 (2024 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	13.8 births/1,000 population (2024 est.)
Unemployment rate	8.5% (2024 est.)
Life expectancy at birth	76.7 years (2024 est.)