Nigeria vs Turkey
Population, economy and geography side by side
Nigeria has 2.8 times as many people as Turkey (242 million vs 86.1 million in 2026). Nigeria is 1.2 times larger by land area. GDP per capita is higher in Turkey ($18,599 vs $1,224). People live longer on average in Turkey (77.4 vs 54.6 years).
| Nigeria | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2026) | 242,431,832 | 86,131,688 |
| Yearly population change | +2.06% | +0.29% |
| Population 2050 (projected) | 359 million | 89.1 million |
| Land area | 910,770 km² | 769,630 km² |
| Density | 266/km² | 112/km² |
| GDP | $291 billion (2025) | $1.60 trillion (2025) |
| GDP per capita | $1,224 (2025) | $18,599 (2025) |
| Life expectancy | 54.6 years | 77.4 years |
| Births per woman | 4.38 | 1.48 |
| Urban population | 64% | 89% |
| Capital | Abuja | Ankara |
| Currency | naira (NGN) | Turkish lira (TRY) |
| Calling code | +234 | +36, +90 |
Share of world population: Nigeria 2.93%, Turkey 1.04%.
Frequently asked questions
Which has a bigger population, Nigeria or Turkey?
Nigeria: about 242 million people versus 86.1 million in Turkey (2026).
Is Nigeria bigger than Turkey?
By land area, Nigeria is larger: 910,770 km² versus 769,630 km².
Which economy is bigger, Nigeria or Turkey?
Turkey, with a GDP of $1.60 trillion versus $291 billion (World Bank, current US$).
Sources: World Bank Open Data — World Development Indicators and Population Estimates and Projections (CC BY 4.0); Wikidata (CC0). Retrieved 2026-10-22. GDP in current US dollars (World Bank, latest available year).