Turkey Is Richer — But Not Happier

Despite rising income levels and uninterrupted growth, Turkey remains one of the least happy countries in the OECD. The problem? It’s not the economy — it’s governance.

Turkey’s economic performance in early 2025 was once again praised by officials for delivering 19 consecutive quarters of growth. In dollar terms, the per capita income rose from a post-2020 low of $8,600 to $15,500 in 2024 — a 78% increase over four years, and 27% higher than a decade ago.

On paper, Turkey is doing well. But if the economy is soaring, why aren’t the Turkish people any happier?

Purchasing Power Is Up, But Satisfaction Is Down

Using purchasing power parity (PPP) — a measure of real income adjusted for cost of living — Turkey’s per capita income rose from $24,000 in 2014 to over $44,000 in 2024. That’s an 83% increase in purchasing power.

Despite this, Turkey’s social mood does not reflect its financial gains. Material wealth has grown — but collective well-being has not.

World Happiness Report: Turkey Ranks 94th Out of 147 Countries

The World Happiness Report 2025, published by the Oxford University Wellbeing Research Centre in partnership with Gallup and the UN SDSN, provides an annual global ranking of well-being. As expected, Nordic countries top the list, with the top 20 entirely made up of OECD nations.

But Turkey ranks 94th — and dead last among OECD members. In statistical terms, it’s an outlier pulling down the OECD average.

This wasn’t always the case. Turkey reached its highest rank — 69th place — in 2016. Since then, happiness levels have declined steadily, despite rising per capita income.

What Determines National Happiness?

The World Happiness Report calculates national happiness based on six core indicators:

1. GDP per capita

2. Social support (having someone to rely on)

3. Healthy life expectancy

4. Freedom to make life choices

5. Generosity (charitable donations)

6. Perceptions of corruption

Interestingly, income accounts for only a portion of the happiness score. In Turkey’s case, just 30.1% of the happiness score is attributable to income. In comparison, this figure is 22.6% in Finland and 27.8% in Greece, the OECD country most similar to Turkey in the index.

The remaining 70% is driven by non-income factors — especially social trust, personal freedoms, and governance quality.

Turkey’s Strong Social Ties Aren’t Enough

In Turkey, social solidarity remains relatively robust. The presence of someone to turn to in times of need is a strong factor for Turkish citizens. However, freedom to make personal life choices — such as lifestyle, speech, or belief — remains low, which drags down the overall happiness score.

While economic growth continues, citizens feel constrained, unheard, and disconnected from institutions meant to serve them.

The Rule of Law and Democracy Index Tell the Same Story

The World Happiness Report’s findings are mirrored in two other international assessments:

• World Justice Project’s Rule of Law Index 2024 ranks Turkey 117th out of 142 countries, with a score of 0.42 — below Honduras, Angola, and Russia.

• The Economist Intelligence Unit’s Democracy Index places Turkey 103rd out of 167, categorizing it as on the verge of authoritarianism with a score of 4.26. Only Ivory Coast, Nigeria, and Angola score lower.

These indices highlight the same pattern: Turkey is not just economically divergent from OECD norms — it is politically and institutionally divergent as well.

Growth ≠ Happiness

While economic growth and rising income are important for development, they are not sufficient for happiness.

True well-being requires:

• A sense of security and trust

• Fair distribution of income

• Freedom to make personal and political choices

• A functioning democracy

• Rule of law that applies to all, not just a privileged few

These are the intangible assets that make societies resilient and citizens content.

A Richer but Sadder Nation

In sum, Turkey is growing richer but not more content. It stands out among OECD countries as an example of how wealth without freedom, trust, and fairness fails to deliver happiness.

To climb the happiness ladder, Turkey must invest not just in GDP, but in justice, democracy, and social inclusion.

Author: M. Coşkun Canğoz
Source: Originally published in Turkish and adapted for PA Turkey

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