(MENAFN) Türkiye’s total exports of goods and services soared to a historic $390 billion as of October 29, 2025, marking a dramatic rise from just $50 million in 1923, the year the nation was founded. The milestone comes as Türkiye celebrates the 102nd anniversary of the Turkish Republic.

"This success is the result of the determination of our producers, the diligence of our exporters, the courage of our entrepreneurs, and the unity of our nation. It represents the quality, competitiveness, and taste of Turkish goods and services," Türkiye's Trade Ministry said in a statement Tuesday, commemorating Republic Day.

The statement highlighted the dramatic shift in Türkiye’s export profile. While exports in 1923 were dominated by agricultural products, the nation now exports a diverse range of value-added goods, spanning automotive, machinery, and white goods.

Goods exports alone reached a record $270 billion as of October 2025, surpassing the target set by the ministry at the start of the year.

Türkiye’s global share of total exports climbed to a historic 1.07% in 2024, up from 0.55% in 2002 and an average of 0.38% between 1980 and 2000.

"As of 2024, exports exceeded $1 billion to 53 countries, reaching the highest export figures in the history of the Republic in 60 countries. Also, that year, annual exports in 31 of our provinces exceeded $1 billion, and the number of exporting companies rose to 180,396. Furthermore, the number of exports exceeding $1 billion reached 53, marking a new milestone," the ministry said.

Exports to the European Union surged to $115.1 billion in 2024, compared with $11.3 billion in 1996, buoyed by gains from the Customs Union.

Türkiye’s share in global imports also hit a record 4% in 2024, up from 2.2% in 2002.

Industrial and high-tech sectors have increasingly dominated exports. Industrial products accounted for 94.2% of total exports in 2024, up from 21.2% in 1969, while machinery and vehicles contributed 30.1%, compared with just 0.2% in 1969. Medium- and high-tech manufacturing exports grew to 41% in 2024, from 30.4% in 2002, and reached 42.6% in the first nine months of 2025.

Türkiye’s economy grew at an average annual rate of 5.4% between 2000 and 2024, making it the second-fastest-growing OECD economy. By comparison, the global economy expanded 3.1% annually from 1980 to 2002 and 3.6% from 2003 to 2024.

Gross domestic product jumped fivefold to $1.36 trillion in 2024, ranking Türkiye 17th worldwide, up from $238.7 billion in 2002 when it ranked 21st. GDP per capita climbed to $15,325 in 2024, from $3,616 in 2002.

"While GDP per capita in Türkiye was only 35% of the OECD average in 2002, based on purchasing power parity, this rate increased to over 70% by 2024," the statement added.

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