2016 Edition

Background

Modern Turkey was founded in 1923 from the remnants of the defeated Ottoman Empire by national hero Mustafa KEMAL, who was later honored with the title Ataturk or "Father of the Turks." Under his leadership, the country adopted radical social, legal, and political reforms. After a period of one-party rule, an experiment with multi-party politics led to the 1950 election victory of the opposition Democrat Party and the peaceful transfer of power. Since then, Turkish political parties have multiplied, but democracy has been fractured by periods of instability and military coups (1960, 1971, 1980), which in each case eventually resulted in a return of formal political power to civilians. In 1997, the military again helped engineer the ouster - popularly dubbed a "post-modern coup" - of the then Islamic-oriented government. 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. A separatist insurgency begun in 1984 by the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) has long dominated the Turkish military's attention and claimed more than 40,000 lives. After the capture of the group's leader in 1999, the insurgents largely withdrew from Turkey mainly to northern Iraq. In 2013, the PKK and the Turkish Government agreed to a cease-fire, but fighting resumed in 2015. Turkey joined the UN in 1945 and in 1952 it became a member of NATO. In 1963, Turkey became an associate member of the European Community; it began accession membership talks with the EU in 2005. Over the past decade, economic reforms have contributed to a quickly growing economy. Late 2015 and the first half of 2016 witnessed an uptick in terrorist violence in Turkey's two largest cities and elsewhere. Several car bomb and gun attacks in Ankara in October 2015, and two attacks there in February and June 2015 were followed by an attack on Istanbul's Ataturk Airport. On 15 July 2016, elements of the Turkish Armed forces attempted a coup at key government and infrastructure locations in Ankara and Istanbul. An estimated 300 people were killed and over 2,000 injured when Turkish citizens took to the streets en masse to confront the coup forces. Turkish Government authorities subsequently conducted mass arrests of military personnel, detained several thousand judges and journalists, and suspended thousands of educators in connection with the coup. The government accused coup leaders of links to the "Gulen" movement - an Islamic transnational religious and social movement, which the government designates as a terrorist group.

Area

783,562 sq km 769,632 sq km 13,930 sq km

land

769,632 sq km

total

783,562 sq km

water

13,930 sq km

Area - comparative

slightly larger than Texas

Climate

temperate; hot, dry summers with mild, wet winters; harsher in interior

Coastline

7,200 km

Elevation

1,132 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mount Ararat 5,166 m

elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point

Mount Ararat 5,166 m

mean elevation

1,132 m

Environment - current issues

water pollution from dumping of chemicals and detergents; air pollution, particularly in urban areas; deforestation; concern for oil spills from increasing Bosporus ship traffic

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands Environmental Modification

party to

Air Pollution, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Desertification, Endangered Species, Hazardous Wastes, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Wetlands

signed, but not ratified

Environmental Modification

Geographic coordinates

39 00 N, 35 00 E

Geography - note

strategic location controlling the Turkish Straits (Bosporus, Sea of Marmara, Dardanelles) that link the Black and Aegean Seas; Mount Ararat, the legendary landing place of Noah's ark, is in the far eastern portion of the country

Irrigated land

52,150 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

2,816 km Armenia 311 km, Azerbaijan 17 km, Bulgaria 223 km, Georgia 273 km, Greece 192 km, Iran 534 km, Iraq 367 km, Syria 899 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

total

2,816 km

Land use

49.7% arable land 26.7%; permanent crops 4%; permanent pasture 19% 14.9% 35.4% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

49.7%

forest

14.9%

other

35.4% (2011 est.)

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

Map references

Middle East

Maritime claims

6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR

exclusive economic zone

in Black Sea only: to the maritime boundary agreed upon with the former USSR

territorial sea

6 nm in the Aegean Sea; 12 nm in Black Sea and in Mediterranean Sea

Natural hazards

severe earthquakes, especially in northern Turkey, along an arc extending from the Sea of Marmara to Lake Van limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier

volcanism

limited volcanic activity; its three historically active volcanoes; Ararat, Nemrut Dagi, and Tendurek Dagi have not erupted since the 19th century or earlier

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

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 western Mediterranean coast, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast

Terrain

high central plateau (Anatolia); narrow coastal plain; several mountain ranges

Age structure

25.08% (male 10,303,153/female 9,833,713) 16.11% (male 6,605,634/female 6,329,921) 43.15% (male 17,541,137/female 17,094,141) 8.36% (male 3,335,021/female 3,374,965) 7.3% (male 2,603,655/female 3,253,264) (2016 est.)

0-14 years

25.08% (male 10,303,153/female 9,833,713)

15-24 years

16.11% (male 6,605,634/female 6,329,921)

25-54 years

43.15% (male 17,541,137/female 17,094,141)

55-64 years

8.36% (male 3,335,021/female 3,374,965)

65 years and over

7.3% (male 2,603,655/female 3,253,264) (2016 est.)

Birth rate

16 births/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Child labor - children ages 5-14

321,866 3% data represent children ages 6-14 (2006 est.)

note

data represent children ages 6-14 (2006 est.)

percentage

3%

total number

321,866

Children under the age of 5 years underweight

1.9% (2014)

Contraceptive prevalence rate

73% (2008)

Death rate

5.9 deaths/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Dependency ratios

49.7% 38.4% 11.3% 8.9% (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

11.3%

potential support ratio

8.9% (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

49.7%

youth dependency ratio

38.4%

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

2.9% of GDP (2006)

Ethnic groups

Turkish 70-75%, Kurdish 18%, other minorities 7-12% (2008 est.)

Health expenditures

5.4% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

NA

HIV/AIDS - deaths

NA

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

NA

Hospital bed density

2.5 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

18.2 deaths/1,000 live births 19.4 deaths/1,000 live births 16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

female

16.9 deaths/1,000 live births (2016 est.)

male

19.4 deaths/1,000 live births

total

18.2 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Turkish (official), Kurdish, other minority languages

Life expectancy at birth

74.8 years 72.5 years 77.3 years (2016 est.)

female

77.3 years (2016 est.)

male

72.5 years

total population

74.8 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 95% 98.4% 91.8% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

91.8% (2015 est.)

male

98.4%

total population

95%

Major urban areas - population

Istanbul 14.164 million; ANKARA (capital) 4.75 million; Izmir 3.04 million; Bursa 1.923 million; Adana 1.83 million; Gaziantep 1.528 million (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

16 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

30.5 years 30.1 years 31 years (2016 est.)

female

31 years (2016 est.)

male

30.1 years

total

30.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

22.3 (2010 est.)

Nationality

Turk(s) Turkish

adjective

Turkish

noun

Turk(s)

Net migration rate

-1.2 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2016 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

29.4% (2014)

Physicians density

1.71 physicians/1,000 population (2011)

Population

80,274,604 (July 2016 est.)

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 western Mediterranean coast, and the Tigris and Euphrates River systems in the southeast

Population growth rate

0.9% (2016 est.)

Religions

Muslim 99.8% (mostly Sunni), other 0.2% (mostly Christians and Jews)

Sanitation facility access

urban: 98.3% of population rural: 85.5% of population total: 94.9% of population urban: 1.7% of population rural: 14.5% of population total: 5.1% of population (2015 est.)

rural

14.5% of population

total

5.1% of population (2015 est.)

urban

1.7% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 17 years 16 years (2013)

female

16 years (2013)

male

17 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.05 male(s)/female 1.05 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1.03 male(s)/female 0.99 male(s)/female 0.8 male(s)/female 1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1.04 male(s)/female

25-54 years

1.03 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.99 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.8 male(s)/female

at birth

1.05 male(s)/female

total population

1.01 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

2.03 children born/woman (2016 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

17.8% 16.6% 20.2% (2014 est.)

female

20.2% (2014 est.)

male

16.6%

total

17.8%

Urbanization

73.4% of total population (2015) 1.97% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

rate of urbanization

1.97% annual rate of change (2010-15 est.)

urban population

73.4% of total population (2015)

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

Capital

Ankara 39 56 N, 32 52 E UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

39 56 N, 32 52 E

name

Ankara

time difference

UTC+2 (7 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Turkey yes, but requires prior permission from the government 5 years

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

Constitution

several previous; latest ratified 9 November 1982; amended several times, last in 2015 (2016)

Country name

Republic of Turkey Turkey Turkiye Cumhuriyeti Turkiye the name means "Land of the Turks"

conventional long form

Republic of Turkey

conventional short form

Turkey

etymology

the name means "Land of the Turks"

local long form

Turkiye Cumhuriyeti

local short form

Turkiye

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador John R. BASS (since 20 October 2014) 110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823 [90] (312) 455-5555 [90] (312) 467-0019 Istanbul Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir

chief of mission

Ambassador John R. BASS (since 20 October 2014)

consulate(s)

Adana; note - there is a Consular Agent in Izmir

consulate(s) general

Istanbul

embassy

110 Ataturk Boulevard, Kavaklidere, 06100 Ankara

FAX

[90] (312) 467-0019

mailing address

PSC 93, Box 5000, APO AE 09823

telephone

[90] (312) 455-5555

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Serdar KILIC (since 21 May 2014) 2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 612-6700 [1] (202) 612-6744 Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

chancery

2525 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Serdar KILIC (since 21 May 2014)

consulate(s) general

Boston, Chicago, Houston, Los Angeles, New York

FAX

[1] (202) 612-6744

telephone

[1] (202) 612-6700

Executive branch

President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 10 August 2014) Prime Minister Binali YILDIRIM (since 22 May 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers Nurettin CANIKLI (since 24 May 2016), Veysi KAYNAK (since 24 May 2016), Mehmet SIMSEK (since 24 November 2015), Yildirim Tugrul TURKES (since 29 August 2014), Numan KURTULMUS (since 29 August 2014) Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president president directly elected by absolute majority popular vote in 2 rounds if needed for a 5-year term (eligible for a second term); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament; note - a 2007 constitutional amendment changed the presidential electoral process to direct popular vote; prime minister appointed by the president from among members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN elected president; Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (AKP) 51.8%, Ekmeleddin IHSANOGLU (independent) 38.4%, Selahattin DEMIRTAS (HDP) 9.8%

cabinet

Council of Ministers nominated by the prime minister, appointed by the president

chief of state

President Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (since 10 August 2014)

election results

Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN elected president; Recep Tayyip ERDOGAN (AKP) 51.8%, Ekmeleddin IHSANOGLU (independent) 38.4%, Selahattin DEMIRTAS (HDP) 9.8%

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); prime minister appointed by the president from among members of parliament; note - a 2007 constitutional amendment changed the presidential electoral process to direct popular vote; prime minister appointed by the president from among members of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey

head of government

Prime Minister Binali YILDIRIM (since 22 May 2016); Deputy Prime Ministers Nurettin CANIKLI (since 24 May 2016), Veysi KAYNAK (since 24 May 2016), Mehmet SIMSEK (since 24 November 2015), Yildirim Tugrul TURKES (since 29 August 2014), Numan KURTULMUS (since 29 August 2014)

Flag description

red with a vertical white crescent moon (the closed portion is toward the hoist side) and white five-pointed star centered just outside the crescent opening; the flag colors and designs closely resemble those on the banner of the Ottoman Empire, which preceded modern-day Turkey; the crescent moon and star serve as insignia for Turkic peoples (the crescent represents the mythical moon god, Ay Ata, and the star the sun goddess, Gun Ana); according to one legend, the flag represents the reflection of the moon and a star in a pool of blood of Turkish warriors

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

29 October 1923 (republic proclaimed succeeding to the Ottoman Empire)

International law organization participation

has not submitted an ICJ jurisdiction declaration; non-party state to the ICCt

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, WCO, WFTU (NGOs), WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court or Anayasa Mahkemesi (consists of 17 members); Court of Cassation (consists of about 390 judges and 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) Constitutional Court members - 3 appointed by the Grand National Assembly and 14 by the president of the republic from among candidates nominated by the plenary assemblies of the high courts (with the exception of the Court of High Accounts), the Higher Education Council, and from among senior government administrators, lawyers, judges and prosecutors, and Constitutional Court rapporteurs; court president and 2 deputy presidents appointed from among its members for 4-year terms; judges appointed for 12-year, non-renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors (SCJP), a 22-member body of judicial officials; Court of Cassation judges appointed until retirement at age 65; Council of State members appointed by the SCJP and by the president of the republic; members appointed for renewable, 4-year terms regional appeals courts; basic (first instance) courts, peace courts; military courts; state security courts; specialized courts, including administrative and audit

highest court

Constitutional Court or Anayasa Mahkemesi (consists of 17 members); Court of Cassation (consists of about 390 judges and 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 14 by the president of the republic from among candidates nominated by the plenary assemblies of the high courts (with the exception of the Court of High Accounts), the Higher Education Council, and from among senior government administrators, lawyers, judges and prosecutors, and Constitutional Court rapporteurs; court president and 2 deputy presidents appointed from among its members for 4-year terms; judges appointed for 12-year, non-renewable terms with mandatory retirement at age 65; Court of Cassation judges appointed by the Supreme Council of Judges and Public Prosecutors (SCJP), a 22-member body of judicial officials; Court of Cassation judges appointed until retirement at age 65; Council of State members appointed by the SCJP and by the president of the republic; members appointed for renewable, 4-year terms

subordinate courts

regional appeals courts; basic (first instance) courts, peace courts; military courts; state security courts; specialized courts, including administrative and audit

Legal system

civil law system based on various European legal systems notably the Swiss civil code

Legislative branch

unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms) last held on 1 November 2015 (next to be held on June 2019); note - ERDOGAN was unable to form a coalition government and announced on 24 August 2015 that snap elections would be held; DAVUTOGLU formed the interim government percent of vote by party - AKP 49.5%, CHP 25.3%, MHP 11.9%, HDP 10.8%, other 2.6%; seats by party - AKP 317, CHP 134, MHP 40, HDP 59; note - only parties surpassing the 10% threshold can win parliamentary seats

description

unicameral Grand National Assembly of Turkey or Turkiye Buyuk Millet Meclisi (550 seats; members directly elected in multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 4-year terms)

election results

percent of vote by party - AKP 49.5%, CHP 25.3%, MHP 11.9%, HDP 10.8%, other 2.6%; seats by party - AKP 317, CHP 134, MHP 40, HDP 59; note - only parties surpassing the 10% threshold can win parliamentary seats

elections

last held on 1 November 2015 (next to be held on June 2019); note - ERDOGAN was unable to form a coalition government and announced on 24 August 2015 that snap elections would be held; DAVUTOGLU formed the interim government

National anthem

"Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March) Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR lyrics adopted 1921, music adopted 1932; the anthem's original music was adopted in 1924; a new composition was agreed upon in 1932

lyrics/music

Mehmet Akif ERSOY/Zeki UNGOR

name

"Istiklal Marsi" (Independence March)

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 holiday

Republic Day, 29 October (1923)

National symbol(s)

star and crescent; national colors: red, white

star and crescent; national colors

red, white

Political parties and leaders

Democratic Party or DP [Gultekin UYSAL] Felicity Party or SP [Mustafa KAMALAK] Grand Unity Party or BBP [Mustafa DESTICI] Justice and Development Party or AKP [Ahmet DAVUTOGLU] Nationalist Movement Party or MHP [Devlet BAHCELI] People's Democratic Party or HDP [Selahattin DEMIRTAS and Figen YUKSEKDAG] Republican People's Party or CHP [Kemal KILICDAROGLU]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confederation of Businessmen and Industrialists of Turkey or TUSKON [Rizanur MERAL] Confederation of Public Sector Unions or KESK [Lami OZGEN, Sazyie KOSE, co-chairs] Confederation of Revolutionary Workers Unions or DISK [Tayfun GORGUN] Independent Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or MUSIAD [Nail OLPAK] Moral Rights Workers Union or Hak-Is [Mahmut ARSLAN] Turkish Confederation of Employers' Unions or TISK [Tugrul KUDATGOBILIK] Turkish Confederation of Labor or Turk-Is [Ergun ATALAY] Turkish Confederation of Tradesmen and Craftsmen or TESK [Bendevi PALANDOKEN] Turkish Industrialists' and Businessmen's Association or TUSIAD [Muharrem YILMAZ] Turkish Union of Chambers of Commerce and Commodity Exchanges or TOBB [M. Rifat HISARCIKLIOGLU]

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Agriculture - products

tobacco, cotton, grain, olives, sugar beets, hazelnuts, pulses, citrus; livestock

Budget

$177.7 billion $186 billion (2015 est.)

expenditures

$186 billion (2015 est.)

revenues

$177.7 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-1.1% of GDP (2015 est.)

Central bank discount rate

5.25% (31 December 2011) 15% (22 December 2009)

Commercial bank prime lending rate

13.66% (31 December 2015 est.) 13.23% (31 December 2014 est.)

Current account balance

-$32.19 billion (2015 est.) -$43.55 billion (2014 est.)

Debt - external

$397.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $408.2 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

40.2 (2010) 43.6 (2003)

Economy - overview

Turkey's largely free-market economy is increasingly driven by its industry and service sectors, although its traditional agriculture sector still accounts for about 25% of employment. An aggressive privatization program has reduced state involvement in basic industry, banking, transport, and communication. An emerging cadre of middle-class entrepreneurs is adding dynamism to the economy and expanding production beyond the traditional textiles and clothing sectors. The automotive, petrochemical, and electronics industries are rising in importance and have surpassed textiles within Turkey's export mix. Oil began to flow through the Baku-Tbilisi-Ceyhan pipeline in May 2006, marking a major milestone that has brought up to 1 million barrels per day from the Caspian region to market. The joint Turkish-Azeri Trans Anatolian Natural Gas Pipeline (TANAP) is moving forward to help transport Caspian gas to Europe through Turkey, helping to address Turkey's dependence on imported gas, which currently meets 98% of its energy needs. After Turkey experienced a severe financial crisis in 2001, Ankara adopted financial and fiscal reforms as part of an IMF program. The reforms strengthened the country's economic fundamentals and ushered in an era of strong growth averaging more than 6% annually until 2008. Global economic conditions and tighter fiscal policy caused GDP to contract in 2009, but Turkey's well-regulated financial markets and banking system helped the country weather the global financial crisis, and GDP rebounded strongly to around 9% in 2010-11, as exports returned to normal levels following the crisis. Two rating agencies upgraded Turkey's debt to investment grade in 2012 and 2013, and Turkey's public sector debt to GDP ratio fell to 33% in 2014. The stock value of Foreign Direct Investment reached nearly $195 billion at yearend 2014. Despite these positive trends, GDP growth dropped to 4.4% in 2013 and 2.9% in 2014. Growth slowed considerably in the last quarter of 2014, largely due to lackluster consumer demand both domestically and in Europe, Turkey’s most important export market. High interest rates have also contributed to the slowdown in growth, as Turkey sharply increased interest rates in January 2014 in order to strengthen the country’s currency and reduce inflation. Turkey then cut rates in February 2015 in a bid to spur economic growth. The Turkish economy retains significant weaknesses. Specifically, Turkey's relatively high current account deficit, uncertain commitment to structural reform, and turmoil within Turkey's neighborhood leave the economy vulnerable to destabilizing shifts in investor confidence. Turkey also remains overly dependent on often volatile, short-term investment to finance its large current account deficit.

Exchange rates

Turkish liras (TRY) per US dollar - 2.72 (2015 est.) 2.1885 (2014 est.) 2.1885 (2013 est.) 1.8 (2012 est.) 1.675 (2011 est.)

Exports

$152 billion (2015 est.) $168.9 billion (2014 est.)

Exports - commodities

apparel, foodstuffs, textiles, metal manufactures, transport equipment

Exports - partners

Germany 9.3%, UK 7.3%, Iraq 5.9%, Italy 4.8%, US 4.5%, France 4.1% (2015)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

68.6% 15.7% 20.3% -1.7% 27.9% -30.8% (2015 est.)

exports of goods and services

27.9%

government consumption

15.7%

household consumption

68.6%

imports of goods and services

-30.8% (2015 est.)

investment in fixed capital

20.3%

investment in inventories

-1.7%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

8.7% 27% 67.8% (2015 est.)

agriculture

8.7%

industry

27%

services

67.8% (2015 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$20,400 (2015 est.) $19,900 (2014 est.) $19,500 (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

GDP - real growth rate

3.8% (2015 est.) 2.9% (2014 est.) 4.2% (2013 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$733.6 billion (2015 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$1.589 trillion (2015 est.) $1.53 trillion (2014 est.) $1.487 trillion (2013 est.) data are in 2015 US dollars

note

data are in 2015 US dollars

Gross national saving

18.6% of GDP (2015 est.) 20.1% of GDP (2014 est.) 20.7% of GDP (2013 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.1% 30.3% (2008)

highest 10%

30.3% (2008)

lowest 10%

2.1%

Imports

$200.1 billion (2015 est.) $232.5 billion (2014 est.)

Imports - commodities

machinery, chemicals, semi-finished goods, fuels, transport equipment

Imports - partners

China 12%, Germany 10.3%, Russia 9.9%, US 5.4%, Italy 5.1% (2015)

Industrial production growth rate

3.3% (2015 est.)

Industries

textiles, food processing, automobiles, electronics, mining (coal, chromate, copper, boron), steel, petroleum, construction, lumber, paper

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

7.7% (2015 est.) 8.9% (2014 est.)

Labor force

29.67 million about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2015 est.)

note

about 1.2 million Turks work abroad (2015 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

25.5% 26.2% 48.4% (2010)

agriculture

25.5%

industry

26.2%

services

48.4% (2010)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$308.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $201.8 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $306.7 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Population below poverty line

16.9% (2010 est.)

Public debt

34.7% of GDP (2015 est.) 35% of GDP (2014 est.) data cover central government debt, and excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions

note

data cover central government debt, and excludes debt instruments issued (or owned) by government entities other than the treasury; the data include treasury debt held by foreign entities; the data exclude debt issued by subnational entities, as well as intra-governmental debt; intra-governmental debt consists of treasury borrowings from surpluses in the social funds, such as for retirement, medical care, and unemployment; debt instruments for the social funds are sold at public auctions

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$110.5 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $127.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of broad money

$474.7 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $425.1 billion (31 December 2013 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$45.57 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $40.48 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$185.9 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $169.1 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$581.8 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $618.6 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$107.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.) $111.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.2% of GDP (2015 est.)

Unemployment rate

10.3% (2015 est.) 10% (2014 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

319 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

8,475 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - imports

513,500 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - production

48,510 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

300 million bbl (1 January 2016 es)

Electricity - consumption

207 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - exports

2.7 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

61% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

34.3% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

4.6% of total installed capacity (2012 est.)

Electricity - imports

8 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

70 million kW (2014 est.)

Electricity - production

239 billion kWh (2014 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

48.72 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - exports

633 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - imports

49.26 billion cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - production

479 million cu m (2014 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

5.012 billion cu m (1 January 2016 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

860,800 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

154,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

503,700 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

613,600 bbl/day (2015 est.)

Broadcast media

Turkish Radio and Television Corporation (TRT) operates multiple TV and radio networks and stations; multiple privately owned national television stations and up to 300 private regional and local television stations; multi-channel cable TV subscriptions available; more than 1,000 private radio broadcast stations (2009)

Internet country code

.tr

Internet users

42.681 million 53.7% (July 2015 est.)

percent of population

53.7% (July 2015 est.)

total

42.681 million

Telephone system

comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially in mobile-cellular services additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 105 telephones per 100 persons country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2015)

domestic

additional digital exchanges are permitting a rapid increase in subscribers; the construction of a network of technologically advanced intercity trunk lines, using both fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay, is facilitating communication between urban centers; remote areas are reached by a domestic satellite system; combined fixed-line and mobile-cellular teledensity is roughly 105 telephones per 100 persons

general assessment

comprehensive telecommunications network undergoing rapid modernization and expansion, especially in mobile-cellular services

international

country code - 90; international service is provided by the SEA-ME-WE-3 submarine cable and by submarine fiber-optic cables in the Mediterranean and Black Seas that link Turkey with Italy, Greece, Israel, Bulgaria, Romania, and Russia; satellite earth stations - 12 Intelsat; mobile satellite terminals - 328 in the Inmarsat and Eutelsat systems (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

11,493,057 14 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

14 (July 2015 est.)

total subscriptions

11,493,057

Telephones - mobile cellular

73.639 million 93 (July 2015 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

93 (July 2015 est.)

total

73.639 million

Airports

98 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

4 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

17

2,438 to 3,047 m

38

914 to 1,523 m

16

over 3,047 m

16

total

91

under 914 m

4 (2013)

Airports - with unpaved runways

2 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

4

total

7

under 914 m

2 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

TC (2016)

Heliports

20 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 102, cargo 281, chemical tanker 80, container 42, liquefied gas 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 60, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 29, specialized tanker 1 1 (Italy 1) 645 (Albania 1, Antigua and Barbuda 7, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 3, Barbados 1, Belize 16, Brazil 1, Cambodia 15, Comoros 8, Cook Islands 4, Curacao 5, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Georgia 14, Italy 4, Kazakhstan 1, Liberia 16, Malta 233, Marshall Islands 70, Moldova 18, Panama 62, Russia 101, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 9, Slovakia 1, Tanzania 13, Togo 4, Tuvalu 1, unknown 3) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 102, cargo 281, chemical tanker 80, container 42, liquefied gas 6, passenger 2, passenger/cargo 60, petroleum tanker 25, refrigerated cargo 1, roll on/roll off 29, specialized tanker 1

foreign-owned

1 (Italy 1)

registered in other countries

645 (Albania 1, Antigua and Barbuda 7, Azerbaijan 1, Bahamas 3, Barbados 1, Belize 16, Brazil 1, Cambodia 15, Comoros 8, Cook Islands 4, Curacao 5, Cyprus 1, Dominica 1, Georgia 14, Italy 4, Kazakhstan 1, Liberia 16, Malta 233, Marshall Islands 70, Moldova 18, Panama 62, Russia 101, Saint Kitts and Nevis 18, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 13, Sierra Leone 9, Slovakia 1, Tanzania 13, Togo 4, Tuvalu 1, unknown 3) (2010)

total

629

National air transport system

96,604,665 2,882.162 million mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

2,882.162 million mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

96,604,665

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

531

number of registered air carriers

15

Pipelines

gas 12,603 km; oil 3,038 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Aliaga, Ambarli, Diliskelesi, Eregli, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mersin (Icel), Limani, Yarimca Ambarli (2,121,549), Mersin (Icel) (1,126,866) Izmir Aliaga, Marmara Ereglisi

container port(s) (TEUs)

Ambarli (2,121,549), Mersin (Icel) (1,126,866)

LNG terminal (import)

Izmir Aliaga, Marmara Ereglisi

major seaport(s)

Aliaga, Ambarli, Diliskelesi, Eregli, Izmir, Kocaeli (Izmit), Mersin (Icel), Limani, Yarimca

Railways

12,008 km 12,008 km 1.435-m gauge (3,216 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

12,008 km 1.435-m gauge (3,216 km electrified) (2014)

total

12,008 km

Roadways

385,754 km 352,268 km (includes 2,127 km of expressways) 33,486 km (2012)

paved

352,268 km (includes 2,127 km of expressways)

total

385,754 km

unpaved

33,486 km (2012)

Waterways

1,200 km (2010)

Military - note

the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) has actively pursued the goal of asserting civilian control over the military since first taking power in 2002; the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) role in internal security has been significantly reduced; the TSK leadership continues to be an influential institution within Turkey, but plays a much smaller role in politics; the Turkish military remains focused on the threats emanating from the Syrian civil war, Russia's actions in Ukraine, and the PKK insurgency; primary domestic threats are listed as fundamentalism (with the definition in some dispute with the civilian government), separatism (Kurdish discontent), and the extreme left wing; Ankara strongly opposed establishment of an autonomous Kurdish region in Iraq; an overhaul of the Turkish Land Forces Command (TLFC) taking place under the "Force 2014" program is to produce 20-30% smaller, more highly trained forces characterized by greater mobility and firepower and capable of joint and combined operations; the TLFC has taken on increasing international peacekeeping responsibilities including in Afghanistan; the Turkish Navy is a regional naval power that wants to develop the capability to project power beyond Turkey's coastal waters; the Navy is heavily involved in NATO, multinational, and UN operations; its roles include control of territorial waters and security for sea lines of communications; the Turkish Air Force adopted an "Aerospace and Missile Defense Concept" in 2002 and has initiated project work on an integrated missile defense system; Air Force priorities include attaining a modern deployable, survivable, and sustainable force structure, and establishing a sustainable command and control system; Turkey is a NATO ally and hosts NATO's Land Forces Command in Izmir, as well as the AN/TPY-2 radar as part of NATO Missile Defense (2014)

Military branches

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK): Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) (2013)

Turkish Armed Forces (TSK)

Turkish Land Forces (Turk Kara Kuvvetleri), Turkish Naval Forces (Turk Deniz Kuvvetleri; includes naval air and naval infantry), Turkish Air Forces (Turk Hava Kuvvetleri) (2013)

Military expenditures

2.29% of GDP (2015 est.) 2.36% of GDP (2014) 2.39% of GDP (2013) 2.31% of GDP (2012) 2.28% of GDP (2011)

Military service age and obligation

21-41 years of age for male compulsory military service; 18 years of age for voluntary service; 12-month conscript obligation for non-university graduates, 6-12 months for university graduates (graduates of higher education may perform 6 months of military service as short-term privates, or 12 months as reserve officers); conscripts are called to register at age 20, for service at 21; women serve in the Turkish Armed Forces only as officers; reserve obligation to age 41; Turkish citizens with a residence or work permit who have worked abroad for at least 3 years (1095 days) can be exempt from military service in exchange for 6,000 EUR or its equivalent in foreign currencies; a law passed in December 2014 introduced a one-time payment scheme which exempted Turkish citizens 27 and older from conscription in exchange for a payment of $8,150 (2013)

Disputes - international

complex maritime, air, and territorial disputes with Greece in the Aegean Sea; status of north Cyprus question remains; Syria and Iraq protest Turkish hydrological projects to control upper Euphrates waters; Turkey has expressed concern over the status of Kurds in Iraq; in 2009, Swiss mediators facilitated an accord reestablishing diplomatic ties between Armenia and Turkey, but neither side has ratified the agreement and the rapprochement effort has faltered; Turkish authorities have complained that blasting from quarries in Armenia might be damaging the medieval ruins of Ani, on the other side of the Arpacay valley

Illicit drugs

key transit route for Southwest Asian heroin to Western Europe and, to a lesser extent, the US - via air, land, and sea routes; major Turkish and other international trafficking organizations operate out of Istanbul; laboratories to convert imported morphine base into heroin exist in remote regions of Turkey and near Istanbul; government maintains strict controls over areas of legal opium poppy cultivation and over output of poppy straw concentrate; lax enforcement of money-laundering controls

Refugees and internally displaced persons

at least 103,000 (Iraq) (2014); 2,764,500 (Syria) (2016) 954,000 (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) (2015) 780 (2015)

IDPs

954,000 (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) (2015)

refugees (country of origin)

at least 103,000 (Iraq) (2014); 2,764,500 (Syria) (2016)

stateless persons

780 (2015)