Türkiye guide · Facts checked 19 October 2026
Türkiye at a Glance: Key Facts and Figures for 2026
Türkiye at a glance: capital Ankara, 86.09 million residents (end-2025), 81 provinces, Turkish lira, UTC+3, G20 and NATO member, visa-free for PRC tourists.
Türkiye is a country of 86.09 million residents (31 December 2025) that spans south-east Europe and Anatolia in western Asia, with Ankara as its capital and Istanbul as its largest city. It is a presidential republic, a member of the G20, NATO, the OECD and the Council of Europe, an EU candidate country in a customs union with the EU, and since 2 January 2026 it has admitted holders of PRC ordinary passports visa-free for tourism and transit.
Key facts
| Item | Fact |
|---|---|
| Official name | Republic of Türkiye (registered at the UN as "Türkiye" in June 2022) |
| Capital | Ankara |
| Largest city | Istanbul: 15,754,053 residents (31 December 2025) |
| Population | 86,092,168 (31 December 2025, TÜİK, published 9 February 2026) |
| Area | 783,562 km² including lakes |
| Provinces | 81 |
| Official language | Turkish |
| Currency | Turkish lira (TRY) |
| Time zone | UTC+3 all year (5 hours behind Beijing and Hong Kong) |
| Political system | Presidential Government System since 2018 |
| GDP (2025) | TRY 63.24 trillion, about USD 1.6 trillion; USD 18,103 per person (TÜİK, August 2026) |
| Relations with China | Diplomatic relations since 4 August 1971 |
Name, capital and geography
In June 2022 the United Nations registered the country's name in foreign languages as "Türkiye", following a request from Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu; the change took effect when the UN received his letter on 1 June 2022. Turkish institutions now use "Türkiye" in English. In Chinese the name is still 土耳其.
Ankara is the seat of parliament, the Presidency and the ministries; Istanbul, on both banks of the Bosphorus, is the largest city and main commercial centre. The country covers 783,562 km² including lakes: most of it lies in Anatolia, and a smaller part (Eastern Thrace) lies in Europe. It is divided into 81 provinces (il), each with a governor appointed by the central government. For a closer look at the largest provinces, see our guide to the major cities of Türkiye.
Population and people
The Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) counts the population each year from the Address-Based Population Registration System (ADNKS). The latest release, published on 9 February 2026, gives these figures for 31 December 2025:
- Total residents: 86,092,168, up 427,224 on a year earlier. The annual growth rate rose from 3.4 per thousand in 2024 to 5 per thousand in 2025.
- Foreign residents: 1,519,515, up 38,968 on 2024. This counts foreign nationals registered at an address in Türkiye.
- Urbanisation: 93.6% of residents live in province and district centres.
- Concentration: Istanbul alone has 15,754,053 residents, 18.3% of the total, followed by Ankara, İzmir, Bursa and Antalya.
- Age: children (under 18) make up 24.8% of the population, the lowest share TÜİK has recorded since 1935.
Turkish is the official language; dealings with government offices, landlords and banks are usually in Turkish.
Government and economy
Political system
Türkiye moved from a parliamentary to a presidential system after constitutional amendments approved in a referendum on 16 April 2017. The new system took full effect after the presidential and parliamentary elections of 24 June 2018: the office of prime minister was abolished and the elected president heads the executive. Legislative power sits with the single-chamber Grand National Assembly of Türkiye.
Economy
TÜİK's revised annual national accounts, published on 31 August 2026, put 2025 GDP at current prices at TRY 63.24 trillion (about USD 1.6 trillion). Real growth was 3.7% and GDP per person was TRY 714,682, or USD 18,103. Construction was the fastest-growing sector in 2025 (11%), and manufacturing had the largest share of output (15.6%).
The national currency is the Turkish lira (TRY). Inflation has been high for several years, so many fees, thresholds and the minimum wage are revalued every January. When you plan a budget, check prices close to the date and treat any USD conversion as approximate. Our article on lira exchange-rate risk and timing a property purchase looks at this in more detail, and our investment advisory service page describes market research and project screening for investors.
International memberships
| Organisation | Status |
|---|---|
| G20 | Member; held the G20 presidency in 2015 and hosted the leaders' summit in Antalya |
| NATO | Member since 18 February 1952 |
| OECD | Founding member (ratified the OECD Convention on 2 August 1961) |
| Council of Europe | One of the earliest members, invited to join in 1949 |
| European Union | Candidate country since December 1999; accession talks opened in 2005 and have been at a standstill since June 2018 |
| EU-Türkiye Customs Union | In force since 31 December 1995, so in practice from 1996 |
The customs union covers industrial goods and processed agricultural products: they move between Türkiye and the EU without customs duties, and Türkiye largely applies the EU's external tariff for those goods. It does not cover services, public procurement or most basic agricultural products, and Türkiye is not part of the Schengen area.
Relations with China
China and Türkiye established diplomatic relations on 4 August 1971, so 2026 marks the 55th anniversary. On 8 October 2010 the two governments issued a joint statement in Ankara on establishing and developing a strategic cooperative relationship, and in 2015 they set up an intergovernmental cooperation committee to coordinate political, economic, security and cultural cooperation. China has an embassy in Ankara and a consulate general in Istanbul.
Visa-free entry for PRC passports since 2026
Under a presidential decree published in Turkey's Official Gazette on 31 December 2025, holders of PRC ordinary passports have been able to enter Türkiye without a visa for tourism and transit since 2 January 2026, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. The Chinese Embassy in Türkiye advises at least six months of passport validity and carrying return tickets, hotel bookings and proof of funds. Work and study still need the matching visa, and longer stays need a residence permit. Our Turkey visa guide for Chinese passport holders covers the details, and entry rules for Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan travel documents differ (see our guide for Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore and Malaysia passport holders).
Practical basics
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Country calling code | +90 |
| Emergency number | 112 for ambulance, police, gendarmerie, fire and coast guard (single number nationwide since 2021) |
| Electricity | 230 V, 50 Hz; type C and F sockets (two round pins) |
| Plugs from China | Mainland flat-pin plugs (types A and I) and Hong Kong's type G need an adapter |
| Driving | On the right (Hong Kong drives on the left) |
| Time | UTC+3 all year; no daylight saving time since 2016 |
Main international airports
Türkiye's airports handled 247.2 million passengers in 2025, including direct transit, according to DHMİ data released by the Ministry of Transport. The main international gateways are:
- Istanbul Airport (IST): about 84.5 million passengers in 2025, the hub of Turkish Airlines and the usual arrival point for flights from China.
- Istanbul Sabiha Gökçen (SAW): on the Asian side of Istanbul, more than 48 million passengers in 2025.
- Antalya (AYT): about 39.2 million passengers in 2025, mainly tourism traffic.
- İzmir Adnan Menderes (ADB): about 12.7 million passengers in 2025.
- Ankara Esenboğa (ESB): the capital's airport.
Frequently asked questions
Is Turkey now officially called Türkiye?
Yes, the UN registered "Türkiye" as the country's name in June 2022 at the request of the Turkish government. In Chinese the name remains 土耳其, and "Turkey" is still widely understood.
What is the population of Türkiye?
Türkiye had 86,092,168 residents on 31 December 2025, according to TÜİK's address-based statistics published in February 2026. About 1.52 million of them were foreign nationals.
Do Chinese citizens need a visa for Türkiye in 2026?
Holders of PRC ordinary passports do not need a visa for tourism or transit, for up to 90 days in any 180-day period, since 2 January 2026. Work, study and long stays still need a visa or a residence permit.
Is Türkiye a member of the EU?
No, Türkiye is an EU candidate country, but accession talks have been at a standstill since June 2018. It has had a customs union with the EU for industrial goods since the end of 1995.
What is the time difference between Türkiye and China?
Türkiye is 5 hours behind Beijing and Hong Kong all year. It has stayed on UTC+3 without changing clocks since 2016.
Which plugs and emergency number does Türkiye use?
Türkiye uses 230 V type C and F sockets, so travellers from mainland China and Hong Kong usually need a plug adapter. The emergency number for all services is 112.
This page is general information, not legal, tax, immigration or investment advice. Turchina Group is a general advisory brand, not a law firm; for a decision about your own situation, consult an independent licensed professional. This guide is maintained by the Turchina Group editorial team. How we write and correct it: editorial policy.