Skip to content

Economy of China vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

China has a GDP of $18.7T compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 2/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

China has $16.6T in government debt (88.3% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

China vs Turkey GDP by year

China
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
China Turkey
2024 $18,743,803,170,827 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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
2024 $13,303 $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 (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

China's GDP per capita is $13,303, ranking 76/197, compared to $15,893 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
$18.7T
2024
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
2/197
2024
17/197
2024
GDP growth
4.98%
2023-2024
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$13,303
2024
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
76/197
2024
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$27,105
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
77/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$16.6T
2024
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
88.3%
2024
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$11,749
2024
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
47/185
2024
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$9,826
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$11.8T
2024
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires
6,327,000
2025
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires
450
2025
32
2025
Income share by richest 10%
28.4%
2022
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10%
3.1%
2022
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
32.9%
2024
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
0.2%
2023-2024
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
3.1%
2024
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
5.11%
2021
8.71%
2024
Population
1402578808
86002379

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
2024 32.9% 88.3% 32.6% 24%
2023 32.7% 82% 32.5% 28.7%
2022 32.6% 75.5% 26.8% 30.2%
2021 31.9% 70.1% 30.5% 39.4%
2020 34.8% 69% 34% 38.7%
2019 33.6% 59.4% 34.8% 31.8%
2018 32.6% 55.6% 33.9% 29.5%
2017 32% 53.9% 32.4% 27.6%
2016 31.7% 49.7% 33.8% 27.7%
2015 31% 40.8% 32.4% 27.1%
2014 28.4% 39.3% 32.5% 28.2%
2013 28.1% 36.4% 33.5% 30.8%
2012 27.7% 33.8% 34% 32.1%
2011 26.6% 33.2% 32.6% 35.7%
2010 24.7% 33.3% 35.2% 39.2%
2009 25.2% 34% 37% 42.9%
2008 22.2% 26.7% 33.5% 37.5%
2007 17.9% 28.7% 32.7% 37.5%
2006 18.1% 25.2% 33.4% 44%
2005 18% 25.9% 32% 50%
2004 17.6% 26% 34.5% 57%
2003 18% 26.4% 38.3% 65%
2002 18.2% 25.6% 40.9% 71.3%
2001 17.2% 24.3% 43.9% 75.3%
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 (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government spending was $6.18T, accounting for 32.9% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 88.3% in China and 24% in Turkey, ranking 34/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
China

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
China Turkey
2024 -7.34% -4.57%
2023 -6.71% -5.22%
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 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20).

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

In 2024, China's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $1.38T, equivalent to 7.34% of GDP. This compares to Turkey's deficit of $62.1B, or 4.57% of GDP.

Over the past 43 years, China recorded a fiscal deficit in 42 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 43 years. On average, China posted an annual deficit equal to 2.28% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.61% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
China

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
China Turkey
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 1.5% 7.67%
2014 2% 8.85%
2013 2.7% 7.49%
2012 2.6% 8.89%
2011 5.4% 6.47%
2010 3.3% 8.57%
2009 -0.7% 6.25%
2008 5.9% 10.4%
2007 4.7% 8.76%
2006 1.5% 9.6%
2005 1.8% 8.18%
2004 3.9% 8.6%
2003 1.1% 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 (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

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

Over the past 28 years, China has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.82%, compared with 27.8% in Turkey. In 2024, inflation was 0.2% in China and 58.5% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

China
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $21.2B
Chemicals & pharma $4.86B
Metals $4.85B
Textiles & consumer goods $4.65B
Raw materials & minerals $888M
Wood & paper products $563M
Miscellaneous $508M
Raw agricultural goods $287M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $198M
Precious metals & jewellery $116M
Turkey
Export category Export value
Raw materials & minerals $2.24B
Machinery & equipment $270M
Metals $243M
Textiles & consumer goods $236M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $153M
Raw agricultural goods $108M
Chemicals & pharma $95.6M
Animal & marine products $28.4M
Precious metals & jewellery $8.82M
Miscellaneous $7M

Balance of trade

China Turkey
Current account balance
$424B
2024
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
1/190
2024
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
+2.26%
2024
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$2.64T
2024
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$3.41T
2024
$257B
2024
Service imports
$613B
2024
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$384B
2024
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
17.2%
2024
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
20%
2024
27.6%
2024

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 2026-03-09).

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
56.7%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
36.5%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
6.78%
2024
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$19.3T
2024
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$26,920
2024
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$3.46T
2024
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
1/177
2024
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$154B
2024
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$18.6B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$172B
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
1.89%
2024
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines
0%
2020
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
40.6%
2024
30.7%
2024

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08).

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

Compare countries by 7 more topics

Help us show the world through your eyes

Share a photo of your city and help others discover what it looks like to live there. Your contribution makes our data come alive.

Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  6. TradeMap (2024, retrieved 2026-02-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-03-10)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2025-10-14)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

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.