Economy of Türkiye

The 19th largest economy in the world - A bridge between Europe and Asia

Economic Overview

Türkiye has one of the world's largest economies, ranking 19th globally by nominal GDP and 11th by purchasing power parity (PPP) as of 2026. As a founding member of the OECD and G20, Türkiye serves as a crucial economic bridge between Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.

Nominal GDP (2026)
$1.15T
↑ 4.2% YoY
GDP Per Capita
$13,383
↑ 3.1% YoY
GDP (PPP)
$3.45T
↑ 4.8% YoY
Inflation Rate
42.3%
↓ from 65% (2025)
Unemployment
9.4%
↓ 0.8% YoY
FDI Inflow
$15.2B
↑ 12% YoY

GDP & Growth Trends

GDP Growth Rate (2016-2026)

GDP Composition by Sector (2026)

🏭
Services
58%
⚙️
Industry
32%
🌾
Agriculture
10%

International Trade

Türkiye's strategic location makes it a vital trade hub. The country has customs union with the EU (since 1995) and free trade agreements with 28 countries.

Total Exports (2025)
$255.8B
↑ 2.3%
Total Imports (2025)
$351.2B
↑ 4.1%
Trade Deficit
$95.4B
↑ 8.2%
Export/GDP Ratio
22.2%
→ Stable

Major Trading Partners (2025 Data)

Top Export Destinations

🇩🇪 Germany $21.2B
🇬🇧 United Kingdom $13.7B
🇺🇸 United States $13.4B
🇮🇹 Italy $11.5B
🇮🇶 Iraq $10.3B

Top Import Sources

🇷🇺 Russia $45.6B
🇨🇳 China $44.8B
🇩🇪 Germany $29.3B
🇺🇸 United States $17.5B
🇮🇹 Italy $14.8B

Major Export Products

Product Category Value (2025) % of Total Main Markets
Vehicles & Parts $35.8B 14% EU, UK, USA
Machinery & Equipment $28.1B 11% Germany, USA, UK
Textiles & Apparel $25.6B 10% EU, USA, UK
Iron & Steel $20.5B 8% EU, Middle East
Precious Metals $17.9B 7% UAE, Switzerland
Electrical Equipment $15.3B 6% EU, Middle East
Agricultural Products $12.7B 5% EU, Russia, Iraq

Key Industries

Türkiye has a diverse industrial base with strong manufacturing, services, and agricultural sectors. The country is Europe's largest bus and van manufacturer and the world's 13th largest vehicle producer.

🚗 Automotive

11.2%

1.5 million vehicles produced annually. Major brands: Ford, Fiat, Renault, Toyota, Hyundai. Exports worth $35+ billion.

👕 Textiles

8.5%

World's 5th largest textile exporter. 35,000+ companies. Employs 1 million people. Complete supply chain from cotton to retail.

🏗️ Construction

9.1%

Turkish contractors rank 2nd globally in international projects. Active in 131 countries with $480B+ in completed projects.

✈️ Tourism

7.8%

6th most visited country. 51 million tourists in 2025. Revenue: $46 billion. 2.5 million jobs in sector.

🏭 Steel & Metals

6.3%

World's 7th largest steel producer. 33.7 million tons annually. Major exporter to EU and Middle East markets.

🌾 Agriculture

10%

7th largest agricultural producer globally. World's largest hazelnut producer (70% of global supply). Major wheat, cotton exporter.

Industrial Production Index (2020-2026)

Employment & Labor Market

Labor Force
34.2M
↑ 2.1%
Employment Rate
47.8%
↑ 0.5%
Youth Unemployment
17.2%
↓ 1.3%
Minimum Wage (2026)
₺34,000/mo
~$420 USD

Employment by Sector

Sector Employed (millions) % of Total Growth Rate
Services 17.5 56.8% +3.2%
Industry 6.3 20.5% +1.8%
Agriculture 5.1 16.5% -2.1%
Construction 1.9 6.2% +0.5%

Infrastructure & Development

Türkiye has invested heavily in infrastructure over the past two decades, transforming its transportation networks and urban development.

✈️ Airports

57

Istanbul Airport: World's busiest (2025). Capacity: 200M passengers/year when complete. 350+ destinations served.

🚄 Railways

13,919 km

1,213 km high-speed rail. Ankara-Istanbul: 4.5 hours. Major expansion planned by 2030.

🌉 Mega Projects

$150B+

Canal Istanbul, 3rd Bosphorus Bridge, Eurasia Tunnel, Marmaray. Transforming connectivity between continents.

⚡ Energy

106 GW

Installed power capacity. 42% renewable sources. Major wind and solar investments. Energy hub ambitions.

🏢 Free Zones

19

Special economic zones. $35B trade volume. Tax advantages. 75,000+ employed.

📱 Digital

94%

Internet penetration. 88M mobile subscribers. Growing tech startup ecosystem. $2B+ VC investments (2025).

Economic Milestones

1923
Republic founded. Economic reconstruction begins after War of Independence.
1950-1960
Transition to multi-party democracy. Private sector development. Marshall Plan aid.
1980s
Liberal economic reforms. Export-oriented growth strategy. Financial liberalization.
1995
Customs Union with EU. Trade integration accelerates.
2001
Major economic crisis. IMF program. Banking sector reform.
2002-2013
Period of strong growth. GDP triples. Major infrastructure investments.
2018-2023
Currency volatility. High inflation period. Unconventional monetary policy.
2023-2026
Return to orthodox policies. Inflation reduction program. Structural reforms.

Investment & Business Environment

Foreign Direct Investment

Türkiye attracted $15.2 billion in FDI in 2025, with major investments in manufacturing, energy, and services. The country offers:

  • Strategic location between Europe, Asia, and Africa
  • Large domestic market (85+ million population)
  • Young, educated workforce (median age: 33)
  • Customs union with EU
  • Competitive production costs
  • Reformed investment law with equal treatment
  • Investment incentive schemes

Ease of Doing Business Rankings

Indicator Global Rank Regional Rank Score
Overall Ease of Doing Business 33rd / 190 7th / 25 (Europe) 76.8
Starting a Business 77th 18th 85.6
Getting Electricity 41st 12th 82.5
Registering Property 27th 5th 80.9
Getting Credit 37th 8th 70.0
Enforcing Contracts 24th 4th 71.8

Data Sources & Notes

Economic data compiled from: Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK), Central Bank of Republic of Turkey (CBRT), Ministry of Treasury and Finance, World Bank, IMF, OECD. All figures are latest available as of November 2026. Some 2026 figures are projections based on current trends.