Turkey’s healthcare sector is one of the country’s most important social and economic sectors. It consists of a broad ecosystem that includes public healthcare services, private hospitals, university hospitals, family health centers, pharmacies, pharmaceutical manufacturers, medical device companies, laboratories, health insurance providers, healthcare tourism companies, and digital health technologies.
Over the past two decades, investments in healthcare infrastructure, the development of city hospitals, the expansion of the private hospital sector, wider access to health insurance, the development of digital healthcare applications, and the growth of medical tourism have significantly transformed Turkey’s healthcare system.
A large part of healthcare services in Turkey is provided through the public system. According to the World Health Organization’s European Observatory on Health Systems and Policies, Turkey established its General Health Insurance system in 2006, with the Social Security Institution becoming one of the main financing institutions of the healthcare system.
The healthcare sector is also an important service industry within the Turkish economy. In addition to hospitals, it generates economic activity in pharmaceuticals, medical technology, insurance, laboratory services, healthcare software, and medical tourism.
- Structure of the Healthcare System in Turkey
Healthcare services in Turkey are generally provided through three main categories:
Public healthcare institutions
University hospitals
Private healthcare institutions
In addition, the system includes family health centers, oral and dental health centers, rehabilitation centers, laboratories, and various specialized healthcare facilities.
The Ministry of Health is the main public institution responsible for regulating healthcare services and implementing national health policies.
The Social Security Institution, known as SGK, plays a central role in financing healthcare services.
- Public Healthcare Services
A significant portion of healthcare services in Turkey is provided by public hospitals and institutions affiliated with the Ministry of Health.
The main components of the public healthcare system include:
State hospitals
Training and research hospitals
City hospitals
Family health centers
Community health centers
Oral and dental health centers
Emergency medical services
University hospitals
The primary objective of the public healthcare system is to provide accessible medical services to a broad section of the population.
- General Health Insurance
The General Health Insurance (GSS) system is an important component of healthcare financing in Turkey.
The Social Security Institution is one of the main organizations responsible for financing healthcare services.
People covered by SGK can, subject to applicable conditions, receive:
Hospital services
Doctor consultations
Surgical procedures
Medicines
Laboratory services
Medical imaging
Emergency healthcare
The World Health Organization’s assessment of Turkey’s healthcare system also identifies SGK as the country’s main healthcare purchaser and financing institution.
- Private Hospitals
Turkey’s private hospital sector has developed significantly, particularly in Istanbul, Ankara, İzmir, Antalya, Bursa, Adana, Kocaeli, and other major cities.
Private hospitals commonly compete through services such as:
Shorter waiting times
Private rooms
Advanced medical imaging
Modern operating theaters
International patient services
Multilingual medical staff
Agreements with private health insurance companies
Many private hospitals in Turkey also have agreements with SGK.
- City Hospitals
One of the largest healthcare investment programs in Turkey in recent years has been the development of large-scale city hospitals.
City hospitals are generally designed as large healthcare campuses bringing numerous medical specialties together within a single complex.
Facilities may include:
General hospitals
Women’s and maternity hospitals
Children’s hospitals
Oncology centers
Cardiovascular centers
Orthopedic departments
Neurology departments
Intensive care units
Emergency departments
Advanced medical imaging centers
Large city hospitals operate in cities including Ankara, Istanbul, İzmir, Adana, Bursa, Konya, Kayseri, and several other locations.
- University Hospitals
University hospitals play an important role in Turkey’s healthcare system in terms of both treatment and academic education.
These hospitals provide:
Medical student education
Specialist medical training
Academic research
Advanced surgical procedures
Treatment of rare diseases
Clinical research
University hospitals are particularly important as referral centers for complex and difficult medical cases.
- Primary Healthcare Services
Primary healthcare is another fundamental level of Turkey’s healthcare system.
The family medicine system is at the center of primary healthcare.
Family health centers provide:
General medical examinations
Preventive healthcare
Pregnancy monitoring
Infant and child monitoring
Vaccinations
Chronic disease monitoring
Prescription services
Basic health counseling
Strengthening primary healthcare is also important for reducing pressure on hospitals.
- Emergency Healthcare Services
Turkey operates a broad emergency healthcare network based around ambulance services and hospitals.
The 112 Emergency Health Services system provides assistance in situations such as:
Traffic accidents
Heart attacks
Injuries
Sudden illnesses
Natural disasters
Emergency childbirth
Other life-threatening situations
In addition to conventional ambulances, air ambulances and specialized emergency-response vehicles are also used in certain areas.
- Healthcare Expenditure in Turkey
Healthcare is a significant area of expenditure within the Turkish economy.
According to the latest comprehensive healthcare expenditure data published by TÜİK, Turkey’s total healthcare expenditure reached approximately TRY 2.36 trillion in 2024. Around 76.1% was financed by the general government, while 23.9% came from the private sector.
Healthcare expenditure accounted for approximately 5.3% of GDP in 2024.
Per-capita healthcare expenditure was approximately TRY 27,587, equivalent to around US$840.
These figures demonstrate the considerable economic scale of Turkey’s healthcare sector.
- Hospitals’ Share of Healthcare Expenditure
Hospitals account for a significant portion of healthcare expenditure in Turkey.
According to TÜİK data, approximately 54.6% of total healthcare expenditure was spent in hospitals in 2024.
Hospitals were followed by organizations providing healthcare products and medical supplies, as well as outpatient healthcare services.
This demonstrates the central role of hospital infrastructure within Turkey’s healthcare economy.
- Household Healthcare Expenditure
Direct healthcare spending by households is another important component of the healthcare sector.
These expenses can include:
Medicines
Dental treatment
Private doctor consultations
Private hospital services
Physical therapy
Eyeglasses
Medical equipment
Laboratory tests
According to TÜİK, out-of-pocket household healthcare expenditure accounted for approximately 18.8% of total healthcare expenditure in 2024.
- Doctors and Healthcare Professionals
Human resources are one of the most important factors determining the quality of a healthcare system.
Turkey has a large workforce consisting of:
Specialist doctors
General practitioners
Family physicians
Dentists
Nurses
Midwives
Pharmacists
Physiotherapists
Psychologists
Dietitians
Laboratory technicians
Radiology technicians
Paramedics
The expansion of medical schools and health sciences programs has increased Turkey’s capacity to train healthcare professionals.
However, working conditions and the geographical distribution of healthcare workers remain important policy issues.
- Medical Education
Many public and private universities in Turkey have medical faculties.
Medical education generally consists of:
Basic medical sciences
Clinical education
Hospital rotations
Internship
Specialist training
Doctors who wish to specialize generally enter specialist training programs through the Medical Specialty Examination, known as TUS.
The development of specialties such as surgery, cardiology, oncology, pediatrics, radiology, neurology, and other medical disciplines is important for Turkey’s healthcare workforce.
- Pharmaceutical Industry
The pharmaceutical industry is one of the most important industrial components of Turkey’s healthcare economy.
Both domestic and international pharmaceutical companies operate in the country.
The main areas of activity include:
Generic medicines
Prescription medicines
Over-the-counter products
Biotechnology medicines
Vaccines
Pharmaceutical raw materials
Pharmaceutical research and development
Pharmaceutical exports
One of Turkey’s important objectives is to increase domestic production and reduce dependence on imported pharmaceutical products.
- Pharmacies
Pharmacies are one of the healthcare system’s most direct points of contact with citizens.
Pharmacies provide:
Prescription medicines
Over-the-counter medicines
Medical products
Vitamins and supplements
Certain medical supplies
Pharmacists also provide patients with information about appropriate medication use and possible drug interactions.
- Medical Devices and Healthcare Technologies
The medical device industry is another growing part of Turkey’s healthcare economy.
Products used in the sector include:
MRI systems
Computed tomography scanners
Ultrasound equipment
X-ray equipment
Surgical equipment
Patient monitoring systems
Respiratory equipment
Orthopedic implants
Prostheses
Laboratory equipment
Hospital beds
Medical consumables
Increasing domestic production of medical technologies is important for both healthcare security and foreign trade.
- Digital Healthcare
One of the most notable developments in Turkey’s healthcare sector is digitalization.
Many stages of healthcare delivery have been transferred to electronic systems.
Important applications include:
e-Nabız
Centralized Doctor Appointment System
Electronic prescriptions
Electronic health records
Digital imaging systems
Remote healthcare services
Hospital information management systems
These systems can make healthcare services faster and more coordinated.
- The e-Nabız System
e-Nabız is one of Turkey’s most important digital healthcare applications.
Citizens can access a range of personal healthcare information through the system, including:
Laboratory results
Radiology images
Prescriptions
Medication history
Hospital visits
Diagnosis information
Vaccination records
Digital health systems such as e-Nabız make it easier for individuals to monitor their own healthcare information.
- Artificial Intelligence and Healthcare Technologies
Artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly important in healthcare.
Potential applications include:
Medical imaging analysis
Cancer screening
Disease risk prediction
Laboratory result analysis
Intensive care monitoring
Hospital operations management
Drug development
The growth of artificial intelligence is likely to create new investment opportunities for Turkish healthcare technology companies.
- Medical Tourism
One of the fastest-growing areas of Turkey’s healthcare sector is international medical tourism.
Turkey attracts patients from regions including:
Europe
The Balkans
The Middle East
The Caucasus
Central Asia
North Africa
Turkey’s main advantages in medical tourism include:
Modern hospitals
Experienced doctors
Competitive prices
Proximity to Europe
Strong tourism infrastructure
Extensive international flight connections
21. Hair Transplantation
Hair transplantation is one of the most internationally recognized components of Turkey’s medical tourism industry.
Istanbul, in particular, has become a major global destination for hair transplantation.
International patients may travel to Turkey for procedures such as:
FUE
DHI
Hair transplantation
Beard transplantation
The hair-transplantation industry also generates additional economic activity for hotels, transfer companies, restaurants, and tourism businesses.
- Cosmetic and Plastic Surgery
Turkey has also become an important international destination for aesthetic and plastic surgery.
Popular procedures include:
Rhinoplasty
Breast surgery
Liposuction
Tummy tuck
Facelift
Eyelid surgery
Hair transplantation
Istanbul, Antalya, İzmir, and Ankara are among the cities that have developed significant private healthcare and medical tourism markets.
- Dental Tourism
Dental care is another major component of Turkey’s medical tourism industry.
International patients may seek treatments such as:
Dental implants
Dental crowns
Zirconium crowns
Orthodontics
Cosmetic dentistry
Oral surgery
Competitive treatment prices compared with many European countries can make Turkey attractive to international dental patients.
- Thermal and Wellness Healthcare Tourism
Turkey has abundant thermal water resources.
Major thermal tourism destinations include:
Afyonkarahisar
Denizli
Kütahya
Bursa
Yalova
Balıkesir
Ankara
İzmir
Thermal facilities can be used for:
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Musculoskeletal conditions
Relaxation and wellness
Thermal tourism therefore represents an important intersection between Turkey’s healthcare and tourism industries.
- Private Health Insurance
Private health insurance is another growing segment of Turkey’s healthcare market.
Depending on the policy, private insurance may provide access to:
Private hospitals
Doctor consultations
Surgical procedures
Laboratory services
Medical imaging
Supplementary health insurance has also become increasingly popular among people covered by SGK.
- Preventive Healthcare
A modern healthcare system needs to focus not only on treating illnesses but also on preventing them.
Major components of preventive healthcare include:
Vaccination
Cancer screening
Maternal and child healthcare
Healthy nutrition
Smoking prevention
Obesity prevention
Physical activity
Regular health checkups
Preventive healthcare policies can also help reduce healthcare expenditure in the long term.
- Population Aging and Healthcare
Population aging will be an increasingly important factor affecting Turkey’s healthcare sector.
As the elderly population grows, demand is expected to increase for:
Cardiology
Oncology
Orthopedics
Neurology
Geriatrics
Home healthcare
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Long-term care
This will increase the importance of home healthcare and elderly-care services in addition to traditional hospitals.
- Chronic Diseases
Chronic diseases represent an increasingly important burden on the healthcare system.
Major chronic health conditions include:
Cardiovascular diseases
Diabetes
Hypertension
Cancer
Chronic respiratory diseases
Obesity
Because these conditions often require long-term treatment and monitoring, they can significantly increase healthcare costs.
- Challenges Facing the Healthcare Sector
Despite significant improvements, Turkey’s healthcare sector continues to face several challenges.
Healthcare workforce pressure
High patient volumes, particularly in major cities, can increase the workload of healthcare professionals.
Waiting times
Patients may experience difficulties obtaining appointments in certain specialist departments and large public hospitals.
Distribution of healthcare professionals
Ensuring a balanced distribution of doctors and healthcare workers across different regions remains an important policy issue.
Rising costs
Increasing costs for medicines, medical equipment, technology, and personnel can put pressure on healthcare financing.
Imported medical products
Dependence on foreign suppliers for certain advanced medical devices can increase costs and create supply-chain risks.
- Sustainability of Healthcare Spending
Turkey’s healthcare system is significantly financed through public resources.
According to TÜİK, 76.1% of healthcare expenditure was financed by public sources in 2024.
Population aging, new medical technologies, expensive medicines, and rising demand for healthcare services could create additional pressure on public healthcare financing in the future.
For long-term sustainability, areas such as:
Preventive healthcare
Early diagnosis
Digitalization
Healthcare efficiency
Domestic pharmaceutical production
Domestic medical technology
will become increasingly important.
- Domestic Healthcare Production
One of Turkey’s strategic objectives is to increase domestic production in the healthcare sector.
Important areas include:
Pharmaceuticals
Vaccines
Medical devices
Laboratory equipment
Hospital equipment
Healthcare software
Biotechnology products
Increasing domestic production can reduce dependence on imports while also creating opportunities for healthcare technology exports.
- Biotechnology
Biotechnology will play an increasingly important role in the future of healthcare.
Next-generation:
Medicines
Vaccines
Genetic tests
Cell therapies
Personalized medicine
Cancer treatments
depend heavily on advances in biotechnology.
Greater investment by Turkish universities, research centers, and private companies could strengthen the country’s technological capabilities in this field.
- Telemedicine and Remote Healthcare
The continued development of digital technology is expected to increase the use of telemedicine and remote healthcare.
Remote healthcare can be particularly useful for:
Chronic disease monitoring
Psychological counseling
Elderly patient monitoring
Follow-up consultations
Patients living in remote areas
These systems can improve access to healthcare while potentially reducing pressure on hospitals.
- Home Healthcare and Elderly Care
Home healthcare is expected to become a growing area of Turkey’s healthcare sector.
As the population ages, demand is likely to increase for:
Home doctor visits
Home nursing
Physical therapy
Rehabilitation
Patient care
Medical equipment rental
Remote patient monitoring
This area could also create new investment opportunities for healthcare companies.
- Investment Opportunities in Healthcare
Turkey offers numerous investment opportunities in the healthcare sector.
Promising areas include:
Private hospitals
Medical centers
Dental clinics
Physical therapy centers
Elderly-care centers
Home healthcare
Medical tourism
Medical device manufacturing
Pharmaceutical production
Biotechnology
Healthcare software
Artificial intelligence
Telemedicine
36. The Future of Turkey’s Healthcare Sector
Several important trends are likely to shape Turkey’s healthcare sector in the coming years.
- Digital healthcare will grow
Electronic health records, mobile health applications, and remote patient monitoring will become increasingly widespread.
- Artificial intelligence will expand
AI is likely to play a greater role in medical imaging, diagnosis, data analysis, and hospital management.
- Medical tourism will continue to grow
Turkey’s competitive prices, tourism infrastructure, and healthcare facilities will continue to support its position in the international patient market.
- Elderly-care services will become more important
Population aging will increase demand for geriatrics, home healthcare, and long-term care.
- Domestic pharmaceutical and medical device production will develop
Reducing dependence on imports will increase the importance of domestic healthcare manufacturing.
- Personalized medicine will advance
Genetic testing and biotechnology will enable increasingly individualized approaches to medical treatment.
- Preventive healthcare will become more important
Early diagnosis and disease prevention will increasingly complement treatment after illness has developed.
Turkey’s healthcare sector is one of the country’s most important social and economic sectors.
The country has an extensive healthcare infrastructure consisting of public hospitals, city hospitals, university hospitals, private healthcare facilities, family health centers, and pharmacies. At the same time, pharmaceutical companies, medical technology manufacturers, insurance providers, biotechnology companies, and digital health businesses continue to expand the economic dimension of the sector.
According to the latest TÜİK healthcare expenditure data, Turkey’s total healthcare expenditure reached approximately TRY 2.36 trillion in 2024, with 76.1% of total expenditure financed by public sources. Healthcare expenditure represented approximately 5.3% of GDP.
Turkey’s future healthcare policies will increasingly focus on expanding healthcare workforce capacity, improving access to healthcare, strengthening domestic pharmaceutical and medical device production, expanding medical tourism, and making greater use of digital technologies.
In particular, medical tourism, artificial intelligence, digital healthcare, biotechnology, telemedicine, elderly care, and medical technology are likely to be among the fastest-growing areas of Turkey’s healthcare sector in the coming years.
With its strong tourism infrastructure, extensive hospital network, skilled healthcare professionals, and strategic location between Europe, the Middle East, the Balkans, and Central Asia, Turkey’s healthcare sector is not only a system serving its domestic population but also an important area of international service exports, investment, and technological development.
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