Bangladesh vs Turkey
Bangladesh has a population of 169.8M, compared to Turkey's 85.7M. Bangladesh is 2.0 times more populous than Turkey. Economically, Turkey ($1.36T) has a GDP 3.0 times larger than Bangladesh's ($450.1B). Turkey covers 783,562 km², 5.3 times larger than Bangladesh's 147,570 km². Life expectancy in Turkey stands at 77.2 years, 2.5 years higher than Bangladesh's 74.7 years.
BangladeshTurkey| Population | +98.2%169.8M | -49.6%85.7M |
| Area | -81.2%147,570 km² | +431.0%783,562 km² |
| GDP | -66.9%$450.1B | +201.9%$1.36T |
| GDP Per Capita | -83.7%$2,593.416 | +512.8%$15,892.716 |
| Life Expectancy | -3.2%74.7 yrs | +3.3%77.2 yrs |
| Infant Mortality | +168.1%24.4 | -62.7%9.1 |
| Literacy Rate | — | — |
| Unemployment | -55.7%3.8% | +125.5%8.5% |
| Capital | Dhaka | Ankara |
| Region | Asia | Asia |
| Languages | Bengali | Turkish |
| Currencies | BDT (৳) | TRY (₺) |
Last updated: March 2026
All data sourced from World Bank Open Data (2025) and REST Countries API. Economic data may reflect most recent available year.
Population Comparison
Bangladesh is 2.0 times more populous than Turkey, with 169.8M residents compared to 85.7M. Bangladesh is among the world's 15 most populous countries, while Turkey is among the world's 30 most populous countries. In terms of population density, Bangladesh averages 1,151 people per km² (dense), while Turkey averages 109 people per km² (moderate). Turkey has grown at 1.14% annually over the past decade. Population growth data is not available for Bangladesh.
Economy Comparison
Bangladesh is classified as a lower-middle-income economy, while Turkey is classified as a high-income economy. The Turkey economy ($1.36T) is 3.0 times larger than Bangladesh's ($450.1B). Bangladesh's GDP per capita of $2,593.416 is 77% below the regional average of 11,200 for Asia. Turkey's GDP per capita of $15,892.716 is 42% above the regional average of 11,200 for Asia. On a per-capita basis, residents of Turkey are on average 6.1 times wealthier than those in Bangladesh.
Health & Quality of Life
Life expectancy in Bangladesh is 74.7 years, compared to 77.2 years in Turkey, a gap of 2.5 years. Turkey (77.2 years) is 5.2 years above the global average of 72 years, while Bangladesh (74.7 years) is 2.7 years above the global average of 72 years. At 24.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, Bangladesh's infant mortality is 168% higher than Turkey's 9.1.
Geographic Comparison
Turkey (783,562 km²) is 5.3 times larger by land area than Bangladesh (147,570 km²). Bangladesh shares borders with 2 countries, while Turkey borders 8 countries. Bangladesh spans 1 timezone, compared to Turkey's 1 timezone. Both Bangladesh and Turkey are located in Asia. Both countries fall within the Asia region, though they occupy different subregions: Southern Asia and Western Asia.
Key Differences
The most significant difference between Bangladesh and Turkey is in GDP per capita: Bangladesh's $2,593.416 compared to Turkey's $15,892.716 represents a 84% gap. The most significant difference between Bangladesh and Turkey is in land area: Bangladesh's 147,570 km² compared to Turkey's 783,562 km² represents a 81% gap. The most significant difference between Bangladesh and Turkey is in GDP: Bangladesh's $450.1B compared to Turkey's $1.36T represents a 67% gap. These disparities reflect the broader structural differences between Bangladesh's lower-middle-income economy and Turkey's high-income economy.
At a Glance: What the Numbers Mean
Living Standards
Turkey has a GDP per capita of $15,892.716, which is 6.1x that of Bangladesh ($2,593.416). This gap reflects differences in economic development, industrial structure, and workforce productivity. In practical terms, average purchasing power in Turkey is significantly higher, though cost of living differences partially offset the raw income gap.
Population Density
Bangladesh is 10.5x more densely populated than Turkey (1151 vs 109 people per km²). Higher density typically correlates with more urbanization, greater demand for public transit, and higher housing costs. Turkey's lower density suggests more rural land use and potentially lower urban congestion.
Healthcare and Longevity
Citizens of Turkey live an average of 2.5 years longer than those of Bangladesh (77.2 vs 74.7 years). This gap reflects differences in healthcare access, nutrition, public health infrastructure, and environmental factors. This is a moderate difference that could narrow with continued development.
Economic Momentum
Bangladesh's economy grew at 4.2% compared to Turkey's 3.3%. Both countries show healthy growth, though Bangladesh has a modest edge in economic dynamism.
Travel Comparison
Bangladesh vs Turkey for Families
For family travel, Turkey generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (9.1 vs 24.4 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Bangladesh offers its own advantages, including a more compact geography that is easier to navigate with children. Both countries have family-friendly attractions, though Turkey's higher GDP per capita typically correlates with better tourist infrastructure, public transport, and English-language availability.
Bangladesh vs Turkey for Budget Travelers
Bangladesh is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $2,593.416 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Bangladesh can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Turkey. However, Turkey may offer better value in specific categories such as intercity transport or package deals. Shoulder season travel in either country helps reduce costs further.
Bangladesh vs Turkey for Retirees
Turkey's life expectancy of 77.2 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Bangladesh may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, climate preferences, and proximity to international airports. Both countries have established expat communities, though the specific visa options and healthcare quality vary by region within each country.
Bangladesh vs Turkey Cost of Living
Turkey's GDP per capita is 6.1x that of Bangladesh, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Turkey, while Bangladesh offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies significantly by city within each country. Major urban centers in Bangladesh can approach or exceed average costs in Turkey's smaller cities.
Bangladesh vs Turkey for Digital Nomads
For digital nomads choosing between Bangladesh and Turkey, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Bangladesh spans 1 timezone while Turkey covers 1. Bangladesh's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching remote income. Both countries have growing digital nomad communities, though specific visa requirements for remote workers differ and should be verified before committing to a longer stay.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is bigger, Bangladesh or Turkey by population?
Bangladesh is larger by population, with 169.8M residents compared to Turkey's 85.7M. Bangladesh is 2.0 times more populous than Turkey.
Which country has a higher GDP, Bangladesh or Turkey?
Turkey has the higher GDP at $1.36T, compared to Bangladesh's $450.1B. Turkey's economy is 3.0 times larger.
How does life expectancy compare between Bangladesh and Turkey?
Turkey has a higher life expectancy at 77.2 years, compared to Bangladesh's 74.7 years. The gap between the two countries is 2.5 years. Bangladesh's life expectancy is 2.7 years above the global average of 72 years, while Turkey's is 5.2 years above the global average of 72 years.
Which country is larger by area, Bangladesh or Turkey?
Turkey is larger by land area, covering 783,562 km² compared to Bangladesh's 147,570 km². Turkey is 5.3 times larger than Bangladesh.
What languages are spoken in Bangladesh and Turkey?
Bangladesh recognizes the following official language: Bengali. Turkey recognizes: Turkish. The two countries do not share an official language.
Which country has lower inflation, Bangladesh or Turkey?
Bangladesh has lower inflation at 10.5%, compared to Turkey's 58.5%. Bangladesh's inflation is significantly above stable levels, at 3.0 times the global median, while Turkey's rate is severely elevated at 58.5%, a rate that erodes household purchasing power.
Is Bangladesh or Turkey better for a family holiday?
For family travel, Turkey generally edges ahead due to lower infant mortality (9.1 vs 24.4 per 1,000), which is a useful proxy for healthcare infrastructure and child safety. Bangladesh offers its own advantages, including a more compact geography that is easier to navigate with children. Both count...
Is Bangladesh or Turkey cheaper to visit?
Bangladesh is typically the more budget-friendly destination, with a GDP per capita of $2,593.416 translating to lower prices for accommodation, food, and local transport. Budget travelers in Bangladesh can expect to spend significantly less per day than in Turkey. However, Turkey may offer better v...
Is Bangladesh or Turkey better for retirement?
Turkey's life expectancy of 77.2 years suggests stronger healthcare infrastructure, which is a key factor for retirees. Bangladesh may offer a lower cost of living, which stretches pension income further. Key considerations for retirees include visa and residency requirements, healthcare access, cli...
Is Bangladesh or Turkey more expensive to live in?
Turkey's GDP per capita is 6.1x that of Bangladesh, which generally correlates with a higher cost of living. Housing, dining out, and services tend to be more expensive in Turkey, while Bangladesh offers more purchasing power per dollar for everyday expenses. However, cost of living varies significa...
Is Bangladesh or Turkey better for digital nomads?
For digital nomads choosing between Bangladesh and Turkey, key factors include internet infrastructure, visa policies, cost of living, and timezone compatibility with clients. Bangladesh spans 1 timezone while Turkey covers 1. Bangladesh's lower cost of living makes it attractive for stretching remo...