Turkey is difficult to place on a simple rich-or-poor scale. Its economy is large enough to rank among the world’s biggest, yet average income remains well below the levels seen in Western Europe or North America.
Key takeaways
Economic differences within Turkey are also substantial.
Turkey’s GDP was about $779 billion in 2018 in current US dollars.
GDP per person was about $28,300 in 2018 after adjusting for purchasing power.
The World Bank classifies Türkiye as an upper-middle-income economy.
Turkey’s economy is much larger than those of many neighboring countries, although average income is considerably lower than in the richest European economies.
Where does Turkey stand?
There is a big difference between the size of an economy and the income of the people living there.
In 2018, Turkey produced roughly $779 billion worth of goods and services, according to World Bank data.
In the same year, Turkey’s GDP per person was about $28,300 after adjusting for differences in purchasing power.
That puts the country well ahead of many economies in Africa and Asia, but still behind most of Western Europe, North America and other high-income economies.
The World Bank currently classifies Türkiye as an upper-middle-income economy. For the 2027 fiscal year, this group includes economies with GNI per capita between $4,636 and $14,375, based on 2025 data. Türkiye remains in this category.
So, is Turkey rich?
Not by the standards used for high-income economies. But calling it a poor country would be misleading too.
A large economy with a broad industrial base
Turkey’s economy is supported by much more than agriculture and tourism.
Manufacturing is particularly important. Turkish companies produce vehicles, machinery, textiles, metals, chemicals and many other manufactured goods. The country has also developed a broad export base.
The OECD noted in its 2018 economic survey that Turkish companies had expanded into new sectors and export markets, with manufacturing exports becoming more technologically advanced. Automotive products were among the country’s important export industries.
Construction has also played a major role in Turkey’s economy. The OECD reported that housing and construction accounted for an unusually large share of investment, employment and output compared with other OECD countries. (OECD)
This combination of manufacturing, construction, agriculture, tourism and services gives Turkey an economy that is considerably more diversified than its simple rich-or-poor label might suggest.
Turkey compared with its neighbors
The second map looks at the question from a different angle.
This map compares the total GDP of Turkish regions with the GDP of neighboring countries.
A Turkish province or group of provinces can have an economic output similar to that of an entire neighboring country.
So, where does Turkey actually fit?
Turkey is best described as a large upper-middle-income economy.
It has substantial manufacturing capacity, a large domestic market and an important role in international trade. At the same time, inflation, currency depreciation and external financing pressures have repeatedly created problems for the Turkish economy. The OECD highlighted these vulnerabilities in its 2018 assessment.
