Türkiye: health and care

What is the obesity rate in Turkey?

21.8% of people aged 15 and over in Turkey were obese in 2025, up from 20.2% in 2022, according to TurkStat's Türkiye Health Survey. 24.8% of women and 18.7% of men were obese, and a further 32.2% of women and 43.1% of men were pre-obese, or overweight. 86.6% of adults did not do physical activity.

Obesity is measured by body mass index, calculated from height and weight. Only 4.1% of men and 2.7% of women did between 150 and 300 minutes of physical activity a week, the level the World Health Organization recommends.

Official sources: TurkStat: Türkiye Health Survey, 2025

How many people smoke in Turkey?

30.1% of people aged 15 and over in Turkey smoked every day in 2025, up from 28.3% in 2022, according to TurkStat's Türkiye Health Survey. 42.9% of men and 17.5% of women were daily smokers. The share of non-smokers, including ex-smokers, fell to 66.8% from 68.0%.

The figures are self-reported in a household survey. 12.6% of people aged 15 and over said they drank alcohol. Tobacco control policy is set by the Ministry of Health.

Official sources: TurkStat: Türkiye Health Survey, 2025 · Ministry of Health

What is the infant mortality rate in Turkey?

Turkey's infant mortality rate was 7.8 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2025, down from 9.0 in 2024, according to TurkStat. 6,988 infants died before their first birthday, against 8,484 in 2024. The under-five mortality rate fell to 9.5 per 1,000 from 11.1.

The figures come from death registrations. The World Bank, using UN estimates, puts the infant rate at 8.0 per 1,000 in 2024.

Official sources: TurkStat: Death and Causes of Death Statistics, 2025 · World Bank: infant mortality rate, Turkey

What is the death rate in Turkey?

Turkey's crude death rate was 5.7 per 1,000 people in 2025, unchanged from 2024, according to TurkStat. 491,684 people died, against 489,734 in 2024; 55.1% were men. The highest rate was in Sinop (10.8 per 1,000) and the lowest in Şırnak (2.3).

The crude rate divides deaths by the population, so provinces with older populations have higher rates. The figures come from the civil registration system.

Official sources: TurkStat: Death and Causes of Death Statistics, 2025

What are the main causes of death in Turkey?

Diseases of the circulatory system caused 34.7% of deaths in Turkey in 2025, according to TurkStat. Cancers (neoplasms) caused 16.1% and respiratory diseases 15.1%. Among circulatory deaths, 42.3% were from ischaemic heart disease, 24.6% from other heart diseases and 18.2% from cerebrovascular diseases such as stroke.

The share of circulatory deaths was highest in Çanakkale (47.7%) and lowest in Kilis (25.4%). Causes are taken from death certificates and classified under the international classification of diseases.

Official sources: TurkStat: Death and Causes of Death Statistics, 2025

How much does Turkey spend on healthcare?

Turkey's total health spending was TRY 2.36 trillion in 2024, or 5.3% of GDP, up from 4.6% in 2023, according to TurkStat. General government paid 76.1% and the private sector 23.9%. The Social Security Institution financed 39.5% of spending, central government 36.0% and households 18.8%. Spending per person was TRY 27,587.

Hospitals accounted for 54.6% of spending. The rise of 89.6% in a year is in current prices, not adjusted for inflation. General health insurance is run by the Social Security Institution.

Official sources: TurkStat: Health Expenditure Statistics, 2024 · Social Security Institution (SGK)

What is the average life expectancy in Türkiye?

According to the UN Population Division, life expectancy at birth in Türkiye was 77.4 years in 2024. Since 2005 it has ranged from 73.5 years (2005) to 77.7 years (2019). Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 79.5 years, and Türkiye placed 34th highest of 52. Of 193 countries with 2024 data, 65th highest.

What is Türkiye's infant mortality rate?

The latest figure from the UN Inter-agency Group for Child Mortality Estimation, for 2024, is 8.0 per 1,000. That is the lowest since at least 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 3.4 per 1,000, and Türkiye placed 9th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2024 data, 123rd highest.

What is maternal mortality in Türkiye?

The latest figure from the WHO, for 2023, is 15.0 per 100,000. It is the bottom of the series, which starts in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 6.0 per 100,000, and Türkiye placed 8th highest of 51. Of 192 countries with 2023 data, 133rd highest.

How much does Türkiye spend on health?

4.3% of GDP: that is current health spending in Türkiye for 2023, according to the WHO. Its high point since 2005 was 2009, at 5.5% of GDP; its low point was 2022, at 3.7% of GDP. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 7.5% of GDP, and Türkiye placed 48th highest of 51. Worldwide: 146th of 191.

How much do people in Türkiye pay for health care themselves?

In 2023, out-of-pocket health spending in Türkiye was 19.0%, according to the WHO. The peak was 24.2% in 2005 and the low 14.5% in 2009. Europe & Central Asia median: 22.0%; Türkiye is 31st highest of 51. Worldwide: 130th of 191.

How many doctors does Türkiye have?

The WHO puts the number of doctors per 1,000 people in Türkiye at 2.2 per 1,000 in 2022. No year since 2005 has been higher. It is 39th highest of 42 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 3.7 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 63rd of 125.

What is hospital capacity in Türkiye?

The WHO puts hospital beds per 1,000 people in Türkiye at 3.0 per 1,000 in 2023. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2005. It is 20th highest of 23 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 4.2 per 1,000. World rank, highest first: 33rd of 73.

How many children in Türkiye are vaccinated against measles?

The latest figure from WHO and UNICEF, for 2024, is 95.0%. Its high point since 2005 was 2006, at 98.0%; its low point was 2005, at 91.0%. It is 20th highest of 51 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 94.0%. Of 191 countries with 2024 data, 60th highest.