Turkey vs Saudi Arabia
Turkey
Saudi Arabia
| Metric | Turkey | Saudi Arabia |
|---|---|---|
| Capital | Ankara | Riyadh |
| Population | 87,685,426 | 34,566,328 |
| Area (km²) | 783,562 | 2,149,690 |
| Population density (/km²) | 112 | 16 |
| GDP per capita (USD) | $18,600 | $34,500 |
| Region | Western Asia | Western Asia |
| Currency | TRY | SAR |
| Languages | Turkish | Arabic |
| Main religions | Islam | Islam |
| Time zone | UTC+3 | UTC+3 |
Green highlights the higher value (or higher GDP per capita). Figures are approximate.
At a glance
Turkey and Saudi Arabia are both located in Asia (both in Western Asia). Turkey has the larger population — about 2.5× the population of Saudi Arabia, while Saudi Arabia covers more land area.
For full geographic detail, see the Turkey map and the Saudi Arabia map.
Shared and contested history
For four centuries the Hejaz, the western Arabian region that includes Mecca and Medina, belonged to the Ottoman Empire, ruled from Istanbul. The first Saudi state, based at Diriyah near Riyadh, was destroyed in 1818 by an Ottoman–Egyptian army. Ottoman control of Arabia ended with the Arab Revolt and the empire's defeat in the First World War. The modern Kingdom of Saudi Arabia was proclaimed in 1932, nine years after the Republic of Turkey.
Different political models
Turkey is a parliamentary-turned-presidential republic with competitive elections, a secular constitution and NATO membership. Saudi Arabia is an absolute monarchy where the king is also Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques. Both have Sunni Muslim majorities, but Turkey's state is secular, while Saudi law is based on Islamic law. Turkish is a Turkic language written in Latin letters, and Saudi Arabia speaks Arabic.
Factories and oil fields
Turkey has a diversified economy: car and appliance manufacturing, textiles, construction, farming and one of the world's largest tourism industries. It imports most of its energy. Saudi Arabia is a leading oil exporter and is using that revenue to diversify under Vision 2030. The two complement each other. Turkish construction firms and consumer goods have a market in the Gulf, and Gulf investment flows into Turkey. Turkish television dramas are also widely watched across the Arab world.
Rupture and reconciliation
Relations soured over the Arab Spring, the 2017 blockade of Qatar (Turkey backed Doha) and especially the 2018 killing of journalist Jamal Khashoggi inside the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Ties were repaired from 2022, with leaders exchanging visits and trade restrictions eased.
The two countries do not border each other; Syria, Iraq and Jordan lie between them. Many Turkish pilgrims travel to Mecca for Hajj and Umrah. For related matchups see Turkey vs Iran and Iran vs Saudi Arabia.
Frequently asked questions
- Did the Ottomans rule Saudi Arabia?
- The Ottoman Empire controlled the Hejaz, including Mecca and Medina, for about four centuries and destroyed the first Saudi state in 1818, but much of central Arabia stayed outside direct Ottoman rule. The modern Saudi kingdom was proclaimed in 1932.
- Do Turkey and Saudi Arabia share a border?
- No. Syria, Iraq and Jordan lie between them.
- Why did Turkey–Saudi relations break down?
- Tensions over the Arab Spring and the 2017 Qatar blockade deepened after journalist Jamal Khashoggi was killed in the Saudi consulate in Istanbul in 2018. Relations were repaired from 2022.