🇹🇷Turkey Political Stability: 18.5/100

Turkey spans 783,562 square kilometers, bridging Western Asia and Southeastern Europe. The country is predominantly Asian, with 97% of its landmass known as Anatolia, while the European side, Eastern Thrace, comprises only 3%. Turkey is bordered by eight countries and surrounded by seas on three sides, featuring diverse landscapes including mountains, lakes, and plains.

As of 2023, Turkey's population is approximately 85.4 million, with a significant majority living in urban areas. The population is predominantly ethnic Turkish, with Kurds being the largest minority group. Turkish is the official language, spoken by 85-90% of the population, while Kurdish is the largest minority language.

World Bank governance: corruption control 24th percentile, political stability 11th percentile.

Turkey's strongest governance dimension is Regulatory Quality at 30/100, placing it in the lower half globally. This suggests the government can formulate and implement sound regulations that support private sector development.

The weakest dimension is Rule of Law at 0/100. Weaknesses in rule of law can affect contract enforcement, property rights, and the reliability of police and judicial systems.

A notable 30-point gap between Regulatory Quality and Rule of Law reveals uneven governance. Some institutions function well while others lag significantly. Travelers should be aware that the quality of government services and protections may vary depending on the context.

Turkey's fragile governance environment presents real challenges for travelers. Institutional capacity is severely limited across most dimensions. Visitors should expect minimal government services, potential interactions with corruption, and limited recourse through legal systems. Travel to Turkey requires extensive preparation and risk awareness.

The U.S. State Department currently rates Turkey as Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution). This aligns with a governance profile that, while not without challenges, provides a baseline of institutional functioning.