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Economy of China vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

China has a GDP of $19.5T compared to $1.6T for Turkey, ranking 2/197 and 16/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $19.3T in government debt (99.2% of GDP), compared to $375B (23.5% of GDP) in Turkey.

China vs Turkey GDP by year

China
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Turkey
2025 $19,498,039,388,043 $1,597,293,229,287
2024 $18,729,668,435,848 $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $18,270,356,654,533 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $18,316,765,021,690 $926,097,476,914
2021 $18,201,698,719,564 $839,938,668,172
2020 $14,996,414,166,715 $733,628,247,119
2019 $14,560,167,101,283 $775,853,144,223
2018 $14,147,765,772,964 $788,356,985,774
2017 $12,537,559,062,283 $863,874,522,365
2016 $11,456,024,084,962 $870,818,016,910
2015 $11,280,814,787,469 $865,460,050,684
2014 $10,674,533,168,257 $942,343,431,929
2013 $9,743,124,247,267 $962,167,643,589
2012 $8,673,664,713,189 $885,327,622,479
2011 $7,671,757,207,851 $844,192,507,381
2010 $6,192,564,874,453 $782,545,664,268
2009 $5,189,577,094,998 $653,894,449,921
2008 $4,667,346,414,522 $775,415,944,333
2007 $3,604,055,822,572 $685,228,481,017
2006 $2,791,498,472,804 $559,668,118,237
2005 $2,317,551,298,052 $508,314,210,213
2004 $1,984,196,551,300 $410,156,784,496
2003 $1,683,903,309,844 $315,392,899,922
2002 $1,489,821,682,051 $240,778,008,474
2001 $1,355,036,590,252 $202,195,080,239
2000 $1,223,754,919,971 $274,748,463,179
1999 $1,103,843,203,576 $256,673,939,248
1998 $1,037,134,141,760 $276,035,372,655
1997 $967,753,570,435 $263,817,553,748
1996 $868,523,936,530 $250,366,965,174
1995 $738,190,896,228 $234,699,627,004
1994 $566,929,539,493 $130,650,447,499
1993 $446,557,291,212 $180,415,757,852
1992 $428,502,354,788 $159,104,772,992
1991 $384,510,452,962 $151,034,731,544
1990 $361,560,229,446 $150,655,500,192
1989 $348,380,566,802 $107,127,191,329
1988 $312,888,888,889 $90,875,175,809
1987 $273,455,156,951 $87,190,081,680
1986 $301,310,144,928 $75,673,037,037
1985 $310,064,625,850 $67,232,758,621
1984 $260,442,857,143 $59,937,602,180
1983 $231,130,268,199 $61,803,555,556
1982 $205,480,916,031 $64,369,325,153
1981 $196,218,253,968 $71,180,180,180
1980 $191,487,500,000 $68,823,684,211
1979 $178,573,913,043 $89,616,129,032
1978 $149,788,617,886 $65,912,500,000
1977 $175,226,595,860 $58,683,333,333
1976 $154,196,810,059 $51,450,000,000
1975 $163,687,619,736 $46,042,857,143
1974 $144,418,433,058 $35,414,285,714
1973 $138,764,340,892 $26,000,000,000
1972 $113,871,930,714 $20,650,000,000
1971 $99,959,013,880 $16,166,666,667
1970 $92,752,930,873 $17,863,636,364
1969 $79,847,786,729 $19,466,666,667
1968 $70,980,323,819 $17,500,000,000
1967 $73,011,350,596 $15,644,444,444
1966 $76,854,053,259 $14,100,000,000
1965 $70,565,994,356 $11,966,666,667
1964 $59,821,862,703 $11,177,777,778
1963 $50,812,227,919 $10,355,555,556
1962 $47,310,737,754 $8,922,222,222
1961 $50,162,299,350 $7,988,888,889
1960 $59,846,235,025 $7,566,666,667

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/turkey | CC BY

GDP per capita in China vs Turkey by year

China
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
China Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $13,862 - $18,599 -
2024 $13,293 $27,105 $15,893 $45,639
2023 $12,951 $25,179 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $12,971 $23,032 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $12,887 $20,843 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $10,627 $18,267 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $10,343 $17,601 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $10,086 $16,298 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $8,980 $15,022 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $8,255 $14,157 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $8,175 $13,463 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $7,781 $12,942 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $7,147 $12,228 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $6,405 $11,420 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $5,704 $10,457 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $4,629 $9,411 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $3,898 $8,448 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $3,523 $7,713 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $2,735 $6,935 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $2,129 $5,946 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $1,778 $5,148 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $1,531 $4,505 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $1,307 $4,007 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $1,164 $3,591 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $1,065 $3,258 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $969 $2,964 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $881 $2,690 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $835 $2,483 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $787 $2,297 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $713 $2,088 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $613 $1,884 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $476 $1,680 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $379 $1,471 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $368 $1,276 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $334 $1,105 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $319 $991 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $311 - $1,949 -
1988 $284 - $1,686 -
1987 $252.3 - $1,650 -
1986 $282.4 - $1,461 -
1985 $295 - $1,326 -
1984 $251.2 - $1,209 -
1983 $225.9 - $1,276 -
1982 $203.7 - $1,360 -
1981 $197.4 - $1,537 -
1980 $195.1 - $1,516 -
1979 $184.3 - $2,013 -
1978 $156.7 - $1,510 -
1977 $185.7 - $1,372 -
1976 $165.7 - $1,228 -
1975 $178.6 - $1,122 -
1974 $160.4 - $881 -
1973 $157.3 - $661 -
1972 $132.1 - $537 -
1971 $118.8 - $431 -
1970 $113.3 - $488 -
1969 $100.3 - $544 -
1968 $91.6 - $501 -
1967 $96.8 - $459 -
1966 $104.5 - $425 -
1965 $98.7 - $370 -
1964 $85.7 - $354 -
1963 $74.5 - $337 -
1962 $71.1 - $298.2 -
1961 $76 - $274.4 -
1960 $89.7 - $267.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/turkey | CC BY

China's GDP per capita is $13,862, ranking 77/197, compared to $18,599 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), China ranks 77th at $27,105, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

China Turkey
Gross domestic product
$19.5T
2025
$1.6T
2025
GDP rank
2/197
2025
16/197
2025
GDP growth
4.96%
2024-2025
3.6%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$13,862
2025
$18,599
2025
GDP per capita rank
77/197
2025
66/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$19.3T
2025
$375B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
99.2%
2025
23.5%
2025
Government debt per person
$13,756
2025
$4,367
2025
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2025
92/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$10,414
2026
$12,616
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$15.5T
2025
$404B
2025
Number of millionaires
5,305,000
2026
93,000
2026
Number of billionaires
539
2026
32
2026
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
34.4%
2023
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.1%
2023
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2025
32.4%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
0%
2024-2025
34.9%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
3%
2025
37%
2026
Unemployment rate
4.57%
2022
8.4%
2025
Population
1403335670
86225430

Spending and national debt comparison by year

China
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
China Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 32.9% 99.2% 32.4% 23.5%
2024 32.9% 90.4% 32.9% 23.6%
2023 32.7% 84.1% 32.7% 28.2%
2022 32.6% 77.3% 26.8% 29.4%
2021 31.9% 72.1% 30.5% 38.9%
2020 34.8% 70.1% 34% 38.3%
2019 33.6% 59.8% 34.8% 31.2%
2018 32.6% 55.9% 33.9% 28.8%
2017 32% 53.9% 32.4% 26.9%
2016 31.7% 50% 33.8% 27%
2015 31% 40.8% 32.4% 26.5%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 32.5% 27.4%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 33.5% 29.5%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 34% 30.8%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 32.6% 34.8%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 35.2% 38.6%
2009 25.2% 34% 37% 42.4%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 33.5% 37%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 32.7% 37.1%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 33.4% 44.2%
2005 18% 25.9% 32% 50.2%
2004 17.6% 26% 34.5% 57%
2003 18% 26.4% 38.3% 63.6%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 40.9% 71.2%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 43.9% 75.6%
2000 16.1% 22.7% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 14.9% 21.6% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 12.6% 20.4% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 11.5% 20.4% 26.4% 32.5%
1996 11% 21.2% 24.5% 35.5%
1995 11.1% 21.4% 19.4% 34.6%
1994 12.4% - 20.5% 39.2%
1993 13.4% - 22% 29.1%
1992 14.6% - 18.6% 29.2%
1991 16.5% - 18.2% 28.4%
1990 18.2% - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 18.6% - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 20.9% 4.46% 12.9% 38.6%
1987 23.4% 3.6% 13.3% 40.3%
1986 25.6% 3.24% 12.1% 38.2%
1985 25.8% 3.31% 18% 44.3%
1984 26.9% 0.97% 14.1% 42.6%
1983 28.3% - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 27.9% - 19.2% 33.4%
1981 - - 24% 32%
1980 - - 25.5% 22.4%
1979 - - 28.3% 23.6%
1978 - - 27.6% 25.8%
1977 - - 27.8% 24%
1976 - - 23.3% 20.4%
1975 - - 22% 20.2%
1974 - - 19% 19%
1973 - - 21.8% 23.1%
1972 - - 21.9% 30.1%
1971 - - 24.8% 34.4%
1970 - - 22.7% 39.8%
1969 - - 20.5% 33.2%
1968 - - 19% 33.2%
1967 - - 20.1% 33.3%
1966 - - 18.9% 33.4%
1965 - - 19% 33.4%
1964 - - 18.9% 25.7%
1963 - - 17.5% 27.6%
1962 - - 15.7% 28.8%
1961 - - 22.9% 28.9%
1960 - - 15.6% 19.9%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/turkey | CC BY

In 2025, China's government spending was $6.41T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $517B, or 32.4% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 99.2% in China and 23.5% in Turkey, ranking 26/185 and 169/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Turkey
2025 -7.87% -2.78%
2024 -7.11% -4.51%
2023 -6.71% -5.19%
2022 -7.32% -1.1%
2021 -5.9% -2.98%
2020 -9.56% -4.64%
2019 -6% -4.69%
2018 -4.2% -3.1%
2017 -3.34% -1.87%
2016 -3.33% -1.68%
2015 -2.5% -0.51%
2014 -0.67% -0.96%
2013 -0.82% -1.21%
2012 -0.3% -1.78%
2011 -0.1% -0.35%
2010 -0.36% -2.99%
2009 -1.72% -5.14%
2008 -0.02% -2.13%
2007 0.06% -1.37%
2006 -1.13% -0.22%
2005 -1.38% -0.75%
2004 -1.49% -4.11%
2003 -2.36% -7.55%
2002 -2.84% -11.3%
2001 -2.56% -11.6%
2000 -2.81% -8.36%
1999 -2.3% -13.8%
1998 -1.08% -9.84%
1997 -0.73% -10.1%
1996 -0.73% -10.7%
1995 -0.94% -5.95%
1994 -1.68% -6.04%
1993 -0.89% -8.84%
1992 -1.22% -6.73%
1991 -1.04% -6.86%
1990 -0.72% -3.65%
1989 -0.91% -3.87%
1988 -2.22% -3.2%
1987 -2.08% -3.47%
1986 -1.82% -2.43%
1985 -0.45% -5.84%
1984 -1.44% -3.77%
1983 -1.61% -1.45%
1982 -1.33% -1.61%
1981 - -1.5%
1980 - -3.67%
1979 - -3.06%
1978 - -1.83%
1977 - -5.1%
1976 - -0.6%
1975 - -0.19%
1974 - -1.02%
1973 - -0.98%
1972 - -0.13%
1971 - -3.05%
1970 - 0.14%
1969 - -1.45%
1968 - -0.62%
1967 - 0.1%
1966 - -0.66%
1965 - -1.18%
1964 - -0.84%
1963 - 0%
1962 - -0.16%
1961 - -1%
1960 - -0.83%
1959 - -0.78%
1958 - -0.45%
1957 - -0.66%
1956 - -0.84%
1955 - -0.85%
1954 - -1.12%
1953 - -0.12%
1952 - -0.1%
1951 - 0.48%
1950 - -0.53%
1949 - 0.81%
1948 - 0.84%
1947 - -
1946 - -
1945 - 1.01%
1944 - -
1943 - 0.22%
1942 - -
1941 - -
1940 - -
1939 - -
1938 - 1.18%
1937 - -
1936 - 1.43%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/turkey | CC BY

In 2025, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.53T, equivalent to 7.87% of GDP. This compares to Turkey's deficit of $44.4B, or 2.78% of GDP.

Over the past 44 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 43 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 44 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.4% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.57% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Turkey
2025 0% 34.9%
2024 0.2% 58.5%
2023 0.2% 53.9%
2022 2% 72.3%
2021 0.9% 19.6%
2020 2.5% 12.3%
2019 2.9% 15.2%
2018 2.1% 16.3%
2017 1.6% 11.1%
2016 2% 7.78%
2015 1.4% 7.67%
2014 2% 8.85%
2013 2.6% 7.49%
2012 2.6% 8.89%
2011 5.4% 6.47%
2010 3.3% 8.57%
2009 -0.7% 6.25%
2008 5.8% 10.4%
2007 4.8% 8.76%
2006 1.5% 9.6%
2005 1.8% 8.18%
2004 3.9% 8.6%
2003 1.2% 21.6%
2002 -0.8% 45%
2001 0.7% 54.4%
2000 0.4% 54.9%
1999 -1.4% 64.9%
1998 -0.8% 84.6%
1997 2.8% 85.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/turkey | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.76%, compared with 28% in Turkey. In 2025, inflation was 0% in China and 34.9% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $23.1B
Chemicals & pharma $4.83B
Textiles & consumer goods $4.65B
Metals $4.41B
Raw materials & minerals $1.02B
Wood & paper products $643M
Raw agricultural goods $519M
Miscellaneous $509M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $265M
Precious metals & jewellery $106M
Turkey
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.15B
Transport & tourism services $1.06B
Machinery & equipment $314M
Textiles & consumer goods $283M
Metals $172M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $140M
Chemicals & pharma $86.6M
Raw agricultural goods $69.9M
Business & finance services $67.5M
Animal & marine products $39.3M

Balance of trade

China Turkey
Current account balance
$735B
2025
-$10.4B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2025
175/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.77%
2025
-0.77%
2024
Goods imports
$2.69T
2025
$313B
2024
Goods exports
$3.75T
2025
$257B
2024
Service imports
$623B
2025
$55.8B
2024
Service exports
$385B
2025
$117B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
16.9%
2025
25.1%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
21.1%
2025
24.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

China Turkey
Economic freedom 48.3 55
Economic freedom ranking 170/197 129/197
Property rights 40.9 36.4
Government integrity 42.3 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.6 23.5
Tax burden 69.3 72
Government spending 67.8 71.8
Fiscal health 4.4 77.8
Business freedom 68.7 61.6
Labor freedom 57.9 44.3
Monetary freedom 76.1 36.5
Trade freedom 73.4 71
Investment freedom 20 70
Financial freedom 20 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

China
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
China Turkey
2026 48.3 55
2025 49 56.1
2024 48.5 56.2
2023 48.3 56.9
2022 48 56.9
2021 58.4 64
2020 59.5 64.4
2019 58.4 64.6
2018 57.8 65.4
2017 57.4 65.2
2016 52 62.1
2015 52.7 63.2
2014 52.5 64.9
2013 51.9 62.9
2012 51.2 62.5
2011 52 64.2
2010 51 63.8
2009 53.2 61.6
2008 53.1 59.9
2007 52 57.4
2006 53.6 57
2005 53.7 50.6
2004 52.5 52.8
2003 52.6 51.9
2002 52.8 54.2
2001 52.6 60.6
2000 56.4 63.4
1999 54.8 59.2
1998 53.1 60.9
1997 51.7 60.8
1996 51.3 56.7
1995 52 58.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/turkey | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for China is 48.3, ranking 170/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

China Turkey
Services, % of GDP
57.7%
2025
59.4%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
35.6%
2025
24%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.66%
2025
5.21%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$20T
2025
$1.4T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$29,160
2025
$44,630
2025
Total reserves including gold
$3.75T
2025
$186B
2025
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2025
20/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
$77.2B
2025
-$5.08B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$42.6B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$192B
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.9%
2024
6.68%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
13%
2024
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.5%
2024
31.7%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/china/turkey | CC BY

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2023–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)

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The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.