Turkey  

Turkish workers have access to a satisfactory amount of physical capital, ranking the country 50th, internationally, on this variable. However, unemployment and inflation rates are high at roughly 10% each, ranking the country in the bottom quartile, worldwide. The domestic savings rate is below the global average but household expenditure levels reach 26% of GDP, ranking the country in the top 15 worldwide on the latter variable. The proportion of non-performing loans is around the global average, but a net interest margin of nearly six percentage points indicates an inefficient and uncompetitive banking sector. Raw material export concentration is very low, ranking Turkey amongst the top 25 countries, globally. However, the country’s low level of foreign direct investment is below the global average and Turkey's terms of trade remain weak, ranking the country in the bottom 10, internationally.

There are only eight formal start up procedures required to register a new business in Turkey, and this led to the establishment of more than 89,000 new businesses in 2007, placing Turkey 12th on this variable. While Turkish investment in R&D ranks in the top 30 worldwide, the entrepreneurial capacity is not matched by innovative strength: Turkey exports very few high-tech and ICT goods with the former accounting for just 0.4% of manufactured exports and the latter for 2% of total exports. The quality of the internet infrastructure is good, as measured by the country’s high level of bandwidth and an above average level of secure internet servers. However, the number of personal computers in Turkey is extremely low, with just six personal computers per 100 people. The country ranks 37th with respect to the value added by its service industry, equivalent to 62% of GDP.

Turkey is classified as a democracy and Turkish citizens enjoy high levels of political rights and civil liberties. Elections for the role of chief executive and legislative positions are competitive and well regulated. The judiciary has full independence from other branches of government. However, there are only limited constraints on the power of the executive, ranking the country 71st on this variable. The Turkish political system has been fairly stable, having not had a fundamental regime change in the last 25 years.

Enrolment rates in Turkish schools are around the global average; 91% of primary students are enrolled in school, 79% are enrolled at the secondary level, and just over one-third at the tertiary level. However, there is widespread inequality, with only nine girls for every 10 boys in Turkish schools. Despite ranking above the global average, Turkish government funding in education is among the lowest in Europe, at approximately $2,000 per student. Labour productivity remains restrained by comparatively low levels of education per worker, with an average 4.6 years of secondary schooling and 3.7 years of tertiary schooling per worker.

There are about 13 doctors and nurses per 10,000 capita, an average figure worldwide, and the number of hospital beds also ranks around the global median. Turks have a health-adjusted life expectancy of 62 years, which is above the global average, and only 3% of the population is undernourished, a low figure, internationally. However, infant mortality rates are comparatively high, with 26 deaths per 1,000 live births. Eight out of 10 have access to improved sanitation facilities, but only 58% are satisfied with the quality of their water.* Despite a health satisfaction rate of 79%, Turkey ranks 75th on this variable.* In line with the global average, roughly one-fifth report health problems and claim to have experienced physical pain the previous day.* However, only 61% of the population felt well rested, ranking the country in the bottom quintile, internationally.*

Turkey has significant security problems related to refugees and groups with a history of discrimination; the country ranks in the bottom quartile in both variables. There is also a significant problem with human flight, as many of the most educated Turks seek employment elsewhere, and there are instances of government-sponsored violence, such as political imprisonment or torture, against its own citizens. There were some Turkish casualties due to ethnic strife in 2008. Domestic crime rates are slightly lower: the homicide rate is around the global average at five deaths per 100,000 people per year. With theft and assault rates of 15% and 7%, respectively, just over half of Turkish citizens felt safe walking alone at night in their local area, a low figure, internationally.*

Turkey ranks around the global average on several governance variables: these include fair implementation of rule of law and the quality of regulation in the commercial sector of the economy, as well as the efficiency of the governmental bureaucracy. Turkish citizens have limited right to self determination, and just over half have confidence in the honesty of the electoral process, a poor proportion by European standards.* However, over two-thirds approve of the court system, a high proportion worldwide.* Whereas 88% of Turks believe there is widespread corruption in local business, only three-quarters believe the same of local government, ranking the country in the top 35 on the latter variable.* Confidence in the military is also high in Turkey, with only 14% of the population distrusting the country’s armed forces.*

Turkish citizens have relatively low levels of personal freedom with regard to movement, religion, and speech. Only half of the population is satisfied with their freedom of choice in their everyday lives, an extremely low number, internationally, ranking Turkey 100th on this variable.* Roughly three in five Turks perceive their local area to be a good location for ethnic minorities and immigrants. The latter two variables rank Turkey in the bottom quartile.*

An extremely low 5% of Turkish citizens feel they can trust others – the second lowest proportion, globally. While most Turks report that friends are very important to them, a very low three-quarters feel they can rely on their family and friends in times of need.* Membership rates in voluntary organisations are among the lowest five, worldwide. Only 15% of Turks have donated to charity and 9% have volunteered in the past month, both very low figures, and low numbers of people reported helping a stranger in the past month.* Turkey is a moderately religious country, with the majority of individuals considering religion to be an important part of their life and attending religious services frequently, suggesting the potential for citizens to access religious support networks.*

* Data taken from the Gallup World Poll

• Back to top