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Economy of Saudi Arabia vs Turkey compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank team

Saudi Arabia has a GDP of $1.24T compared to $1.36T for Turkey, ranking 18/197 and 17/197 by economy size, respectively.

Saudi Arabia has $324B in government debt (26.2% of GDP), compared to $327B (24% of GDP) in Turkey.

Saudi Arabia vs Turkey GDP by year

Saudi Arabia
Turkey
1x
Year GDP, current $
Saudi Arabia Turkey
2024 $1,239,804,533,333 $1,359,123,768,774
2023 $1,218,584,533,333 $1,141,242,864,657
2022 $1,239,075,200,000 $926,097,476,914
2021 $982,661,066,667 $839,938,668,172
2020 $767,951,200,000 $733,628,247,119
2019 $888,890,133,333 $775,853,144,223
2018 $886,564,800,000 $788,356,985,774
2017 $741,266,133,333 $863,874,522,365
2016 $689,279,466,667 $870,818,016,910
2015 $693,414,400,000 $865,460,050,684
2014 $787,153,066,667 $942,343,431,929
2013 $769,755,733,333 $962,167,643,589
2012 $751,921,333,333 $885,327,622,479
2011 $680,660,800,000 $844,192,507,381
2010 $528,207,466,667 $782,545,664,268
2009 $429,097,866,667 $653,894,449,921
2008 $519,796,800,000 $775,415,944,333
2007 $415,964,509,673 $685,228,481,017
2006 $376,900,133,511 $559,668,118,237
2005 $328,459,608,764 $508,314,210,213
2004 $258,742,133,333 $410,156,784,496
2003 $215,807,733,333 $315,392,899,922
2002 $189,605,866,667 $240,778,008,474
2001 $184,137,600,000 $202,195,080,239
2000 $189,514,933,333 $274,748,463,179
1999 $161,717,066,667 $256,673,939,248
1998 $146,775,466,667 $276,035,372,655
1997 $165,963,684,913 $263,817,553,748
1996 $158,662,483,311 $250,366,965,174
1995 $143,343,124,166 $234,699,627,004
1994 $135,174,899,866 $130,650,447,499
1993 $132,967,957,276 $180,415,757,852
1992 $137,087,850,467 $159,104,772,992
1991 $132,223,230,975 $151,034,731,544
1990 $117,630,173,565 $150,655,500,192
1989 $95,344,459,279 $107,127,191,329
1988 $88,256,074,766 $90,875,175,809
1987 $85,695,861,148 $87,190,081,680
1986 $86,961,922,765 $75,673,037,037
1985 $103,897,846,494 $67,232,758,621
1984 $119,624,858,116 $59,937,602,180
1983 $129,171,635,311 $61,803,555,556
1982 $153,240,313,858 $64,369,325,153
1981 $184,291,360,139 $71,180,180,180
1980 $164,539,660,725 $68,823,684,211
1979 $111,858,444,786 $89,616,129,032
1978 $80,266,516,687 $65,912,500,000
1977 $74,188,986,586 $58,683,333,333
1976 $64,005,665,722 $51,450,000,000
1975 $46,773,208,643 $46,042,857,143
1974 $45,412,957,746 $35,414,285,714
1973 $14,947,435,499 $26,000,000,000
1972 $9,664,267,087 $20,650,000,000
1971 $7,184,806,909 $16,166,666,667
1970 $5,377,333,333 $17,863,636,364
1969 $4,485,777,644 $19,466,666,667
1968 $4,187,777,711 $17,500,000,000
1967 $3,257,022,223 $15,644,444,444
1966 $2,920,555,557 $14,100,000,000
1965 $2,647,955,558 $11,966,666,667
1964 $2,371,808,713 $11,177,777,778
1963 $2,207,393,172 $10,355,555,556
1962 $2,130,606,532 $8,922,222,222
1961 $1,920,811,284 $7,988,888,889
1960 $1,748,124,064 $7,566,666,667

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/turkey | CC BY

GDP per capita in Saudi Arabia vs Turkey by year

Saudi Arabia
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
Turkey
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Saudi Arabia Turkey
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2024 $35,122 $71,375 $15,893 $45,639
2023 $36,157 $71,565 $13,375 $42,786
2022 $38,510 $71,968 $10,898 $39,564
2021 $31,921 $62,690 $9,982 $32,106
2020 $24,339 $47,518 $8,798 $29,209
2019 $29,567 $59,560 $9,395 $29,016
2018 $29,360 $59,378 $9,684 $28,640
2017 $23,929 $53,120 $10,756 $28,354
2016 $22,268 $49,937 $10,984 $26,731
2015 $23,256 $53,931 $11,065 $25,890
2014 $27,805 $62,578 $12,209 $24,193
2013 $27,865 $62,203 $12,636 $22,475
2012 $28,733 $65,034 $11,777 $20,739
2011 $27,127 $64,125 $11,374 $19,717
2010 $22,028 $58,829 $10,699 $17,466
2009 $17,718 $54,787 $9,077 $15,560
2008 $22,320 $57,236 $10,913 $16,142
2007 $18,596 $55,030 $9,767 $14,951
2006 $17,564 $54,639 $7,990 $13,555
2005 $15,976 $53,548 $7,332 $11,803
2004 $13,154 $51,225 $5,980 $10,759
2003 $11,487 $48,078 $4,650 $9,474
2002 $10,586 $45,466 $3,591 $9,154
2001 $10,805 $47,381 $3,052 $9,014
2000 $11,715 $48,644 $4,199 $9,326
1999 $10,452 $47,495 $3,974 $8,470
1998 $9,836 $48,867 $4,331 $8,763
1997 $11,545 $48,796 $4,197 $11,514
1996 $11,472 $48,569 $4,041 $10,624
1995 $10,786 $48,052 $3,846 $9,962
1994 $10,602 $48,904 $2,176 $9,253
1993 $10,885 $49,503 $3,058 $9,751
1992 $11,730 $50,355 $2,744 $8,969
1991 $11,847 $49,295 $2,649 $8,418
1990 $11,055 $46,214 $2,690 $8,208
1989 $9,414 - $1,949 -
1988 $9,165 - $1,686 -
1987 $9,386 - $1,650 -
1986 $10,078 - $1,461 -
1985 $12,745 - $1,326 -
1984 $15,541 - $1,209 -
1983 $17,810 - $1,276 -
1982 $22,454 - $1,360 -
1981 $28,703 - $1,537 -
1980 $27,206 - $1,516 -
1979 $19,612 - $2,013 -
1978 $14,914 - $1,510 -
1977 $14,595 - $1,372 -
1976 $13,313 - $1,228 -
1975 $10,266 - $1,122 -
1974 $10,503 - $881 -
1973 $3,640 - $661 -
1972 $2,474 - $537 -
1971 $1,929 - $431 -
1970 $1,509 - $488 -
1969 $1,313 - $544 -
1968 $1,276 - $501 -
1967 $1,032 - $459 -
1966 $961 - $425 -
1965 $904 - $370 -
1964 $840 - $354 -
1963 $812 - $337 -
1962 $813 - $298.2 -
1961 $760 - $274.4 -
1960 $718 - $267.1 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/turkey | CC BY

Saudi Arabia's GDP per capita is $35,122, ranking 33/197, compared to $15,893 in Turkey, ranking 66/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Saudi Arabia ranks 24th at $71,375, while Turkey ranks 51st at $45,639.

Economic indicators

Saudi Arabia Turkey
Gross domestic product
$1.24T
2024
$1.36T
2024
GDP rank
18/197
2024
17/197
2024
GDP growth
2%
2023-2024
3.33%
2023-2024
GDP per capita
$35,122
2024
$15,893
2024
GDP per capita rank
33/197
2024
66/197
2024
GDP per capita, PPP
$71,375
2024
$45,639
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
24/197
2024
51/197
2024
Government debt
$324B
2024
$327B
2024
Debt-to-GDP ratio
26.2%
2024
24%
2024
Government debt per person
$9,185
2024
$3,820
2024
Government debt per person rank
58/185
2024
92/185
2024
Average annual personal income after taxes
$23,076
2026
$10,928
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies
$2.73T
2024
$379B
2024
Number of millionaires
351,855
2025
60,787
2025
Number of billionaires
15
2025
32
2025
Income share by richest 10% n/a
35.2%
2022
Income share by poorest 10% n/a
2.1%
2022
Government expenditure, % of GDP
29.6%
2024
32.6%
2024
Consumer prices inflation
1.69%
2023-2024
58.5%
2023-2024
Central bank interest rate
4.25%
2025
38%
2025
Unemployment rate
3.52%
2024
8.71%
2024
Population
36734925
86002379

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Spending

Debt
Turkey
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Turkey
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2024 29.6% 26.2% 32.6% 24%
2023 28.3% 23% 32.5% 28.7%
2022 25.3% 21.3% 26.8% 30.2%
2021 28.2% 25.5% 30.5% 39.4%
2020 37.4% 29.7% 34% 38.7%
2019 31.8% 20.3% 34.8% 31.8%
2018 32.4% 16.8% 33.9% 29.5%
2017 30.9% 15.9% 32.4% 27.6%
2016 33.3% 12.2% 33.8% 27.7%
2015 38.5% 5.47% 32.4% 27.1%
2014 38.6% 1.5% 32.5% 28.2%
2013 34.5% 2.08% 33.5% 30.8%
2012 32.5% 2.97% 34% 32.1%
2011 32.4% 5.31% 32.6% 35.7%
2010 33% 8.43% 35.2% 39.2%
2009 37.1% 14% 37% 42.9%
2008 26.7% 12.1% 33.5% 37.5%
2007 29.5% 17.1% 32.7% 37.5%
2006 27.3% 25.8% 33.4% 44%
2005 28.2% 37.3% 32% 50%
2004 31.1% 62.9% 34.5% 57%
2003 33.1% 81.6% 38.3% 65%
2002 35.9% 96.4% 40.9% 71.3%
2001 36.9% 93.1% 43.9% 75.3%
2000 33.1% 86.7% 39.4% 51.2%
1999 30.3% 103% 32.7% 52.1%
1998 34.5% 101.5% 27.9% 36.5%
1997 35.6% 76.7% 26.4% 32.5%
1996 33.3% 75.2% 24.5% 35.5%
1995 32.4% 74.2% 19.4% 34.6%
1994 33.8% 67.9% 20.5% 39.2%
1993 37.7% 58.6% 22% 29.1%
1992 41.2% 47.8% 18.6% 29.2%
1991 34.9% 39.4% 18.2% 28.4%
1990 39.3% - 14.1% 25.8%
1989 - - 13.8% 33.5%
1988 - - 12.9% 38.6%
1987 - - 13.3% 40.3%
1986 - - 12.1% 38.2%
1985 - - 18% 44.3%
1984 - - 14.1% 42.6%
1983 - - 14.9% 32.7%
1982 - - 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/saudi-arabia/turkey | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government spending was $367B, accounting for 29.6% of its GDP, while Turkey spent $444B, or 32.6% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 26.2% in Saudi Arabia and 24% in Turkey, ranking 163/185 and 170/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Saudi Arabia

Turkey
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Saudi Arabia Turkey
2024 -2.49% -4.57%
2023 -1.77% -5.22%
2022 2.24% -1.1%
2021 -1.99% -2.98%
2020 -10.2% -4.64%
2019 -3.96% -4.69%
2018 -5.21% -3.1%
2017 -8.57% -1.87%
2016 -13.2% -1.68%
2015 -14.9% -0.51%
2014 -3.4% -0.96%
2013 5.47% -1.21%
2012 11.7% -1.78%
2011 11.4% -0.35%
2010 4.39% -2.99%
2009 -5.38% -5.14%
2008 29.8% -2.13%
2007 11.8% -1.37%
2006 20.8% -0.22%
2005 18% -0.75%
2004 9.72% -4.11%
2003 1.2% -7.55%
2002 -5.91% -11.3%
2001 -3.91% -11.6%
2000 3.18% -8.36%
1999 -5.99% -13.8%
1998 -8.88% -9.84%
1997 -2.51% -10.1%
1996 -3.25% -10.7%
1995 -5.12% -5.95%
1994 -8.31% -6.04%
1993 -9.33% -8.84%
1992 -8.12% -6.73%
1991 -3.28% -6.86%
1990 - -3.65%
1989 - -3.87%
1988 - -3.2%
1987 - -3.47%
1986 - -2.43%
1985 - -5.84%
1984 - -3.77%
1983 - -1.45%
1982 - -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) | Fiscal Monitor (1991–2024, retrieved 2026-02-20); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1936–1999, retrieved 2026-02-20).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/turkey | CC BY

In 2024, Saudi Arabia's government deficit, the difference between spending and revenue, was $30.9B, equivalent to 2.49% of GDP. This compares to Turkey's deficit of $62.1B, or 4.57% of GDP.

Over the past 34 years, Saudi Arabia recorded a fiscal deficit in 22 of those years, while Turkey ran a deficit in 34 years. On average, Saudi Arabia posted an annual deficit equal to 0.18% of GDP, compared to deficit of 4.97% of GDP for Turkey.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Saudi Arabia

Turkey
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Saudi Arabia Turkey
2024 1.69% 58.5%
2023 2.33% 53.9%
2022 2.47% 72.3%
2021 3.06% 19.6%
2020 3.37% 12.3%
2019 -1.19% 15.2%
2018 2.47% 16.3%
2017 -0.83% 11.1%
2016 2.05% 7.78%
2015 1.22% 7.67%
2014 2.24% 8.85%
2013 3.51% 7.49%
2012 2.87% 8.89%
2011 5.83% 6.47%
2010 5.34% 8.57%
2009 5.06% 6.25%
2008 9.87% 10.4%
2007 4.17% 8.76%
2006 2.21% 9.6%
2005 0.48% 8.18%
2004 0.52% 8.6%
2003 0.61% 21.6%
2002 0.25% 45%
2001 -1.12% 54.4%
2000 -1.12% 54.9%
1999 -1.33% 64.9%
1998 -0.37% 84.6%
1997 0.06% 85.7%

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2024, retrieved 2026-04-06).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/turkey | CC BY

Over the past 28 years, Saudi Arabia has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 1.99%, compared with 27.8% in Turkey. In 2024, inflation was 1.69% in Saudi Arabia and 58.5% in Turkey.

Top exports between countries

Saudi Arabia
Export category Export value
Chemicals & pharma $2.54B
Raw materials & minerals $1.12B
Machinery & equipment $176M
Metals $109M
Textiles & consumer goods $20.4M
Raw agricultural goods $19.7M
Precious metals & jewellery $11.3M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $10.8M
Miscellaneous $10.4M
Animal & marine products $5.3M
Turkey
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $1.05B
Textiles & consumer goods $1.03B
Metals $649M
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $394M
Raw materials & minerals $264M
Chemicals & pharma $231M
Raw agricultural goods $167M
Precious metals & jewellery $81.6M
Wood & paper products $44.2M
Miscellaneous $39.8M

Balance of trade

Saudi Arabia Turkey
Current account balance
-$16.3B
2024
-$10.2B
2024
Current account balance ranking
180/190
2024
176/190
2024
Current account balance, % of GDP
-1.31%
2024
-0.75%
2024
Goods imports
$214B
2024
$314B
2024
Goods exports
$306B
2024
$257B
2024
Service imports
$125B
2024
$53.3B
2024
Service exports
$62.8B
2024
$115B
2024
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
25.6%
2024
27%
2024
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
29.1%
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.

Saudi Arabia Turkey
Economic freedom 65.4 55
Economic freedom ranking 65/197 129/197
Property rights 51.4 36.4
Government integrity 52.7 35.3
Judicial effectiveness 38.2 23.5
Tax burden 99.2 72
Government spending 77 71.8
Fiscal health 97.9 77.8
Business freedom 71.2 61.6
Labor freedom 41.8 44.3
Monetary freedom 81.2 36.5
Trade freedom 73.8 71
Investment freedom 50 70
Financial freedom 50 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Saudi Arabia
Turkey
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Saudi Arabia Turkey
2026 65.4 55
2025 64.4 56.1
2024 61.9 56.2
2023 58.3 56.9
2022 55.5 56.9
2021 66 64
2020 62.4 64.4
2019 60.7 64.6
2018 59.6 65.4
2017 64.4 65.2
2016 62.1 62.1
2015 62.1 63.2
2014 62.2 64.9
2013 60.6 62.9
2012 62.5 62.5
2011 66.2 64.2
2010 64.1 63.8
2009 64.3 61.6
2008 62.5 59.9
2007 60.9 57.4
2006 63 57
2005 63 50.6
2004 60.4 52.8
2003 63.2 51.9
2002 65.3 54.2
2001 62.2 60.6
2000 66.5 63.4
1999 65.5 59.2
1998 69.3 60.9
1997 68.7 60.8
1996 68.3 56.7
1995 - 58.4

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-03-09).

GeoRank.org/economy/saudi-arabia/turkey | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Saudi Arabia is 65.4, ranking 65/197, compared to 55 for Turkey, ranking 129/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Saudi Arabia Turkey
Services, % of GDP
47.1%
2024
57.5%
2024
Industry, % of GDP
44.9%
2024
25.5%
2024
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
2.54%
2024
5.82%
2024
GNI, Atlas method
$1.26T
2024
$1.15T
2024
GNI per capita, PPP
$71,730
2024
$45,110
2024
Total reserves including gold
$464B
2024
$155B
2024
Total reserves ranking
7/177
2024
21/177
2024
Net foreign direct investment
$6.27B
2024
-$5.13B
2024
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$21.3B
2024
$11.7B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$27.6B
2024
$6.61B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI n/a
6.67%
2024
Poverty at national poverty lines n/a
13.6%
2023
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
30.2%
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/saudi-arabia/turkey | CC BY

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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.