Moving to Turkmenistan from Turkey

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What to Expect

Considering a move from Turkey to Turkmenistan? Here's how the two compare on cost, climate, safety, and more.

If you moved from Turkey to Turkmenistan, and you’d need to navigate life in Russian and Turkmen. Expect a noticeable climate shift — Ashgabat averages 74°F vs 64°F in Ankara, making it significantly warmer.

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Key Indicator Comparison

The numbers behind daily life in Turkmenistan compared to Turkey.

Is it safe?

Homicide rate United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

per 100,000 people per year

TR
2.7
TM
1.1
Road traffic deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

per 100,000 people per year

TR
6.5
TM
8.0

Turkey generally does better on safety, though Turkmenistan leads in homicide rate.

How's the healthcare?

Healthcare spending per person World Bank, 2023

annual government + private spending per person

TR
$1,769
TM
$1,264
Doctors per 10,000 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

affects wait times and access to care

TR
21.7
TM
21.4

Turkey generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Turkmenistan leads in healthcare spending per person.

What about the environment?

Air pollution deaths United Nations SDG Indicators, 2019

deaths attributable to air pollution per 100k people

TR
39.0
TM
87.0
CO₂ emissions per capita World Bank, 2024

tonnes of CO₂ emitted per person per year

TR
5.4t
TM
10.9t

Turkey performs better than Turkmenistan across all environment metrics.

Will I have good infrastructure?

Broadband per 100 people United Nations SDG Indicators, 2022

fixed broadband subscriptions — key for remote work

TR
22.3
TM
5.9
Water stress level United Nations SDG Indicators, 2021

higher means greater strain on freshwater supply

TR
43.4%
TM
135.2%

Turkey performs better than Turkmenistan across all infrastructure metrics.

What are the job prospects?

Unemployment rate The World Factbook, 2023

percentage of the labour force without work

TR
9.4%
TM
4.1%
GDP per capita The World Factbook, 2023

a broad measure of economic output per person

TR
$34,400
TM
$14,700

Turkmenistan generally does better on employment & economy, though Turkey leads in gdp per capita.

Is it good for families?

Life expectancy The World Factbook, 2022

average years of life at birth

TR
76.2 yrs
TM
71.8 yrs
Infant mortality The World Factbook, 2022

deaths per 1,000 live births — lower is better

TR
19.4
TM
37.6

Turkey generally does better on family life, though Turkmenistan leads in literacy rate.

Data: The World Factbook, United Nations SDG Indicators, World Bank

What's the Climate Like?

Monthly averages — select a city to compare.

Ankara Rain: 15.0 in/yr (382 mm)
64° / 43°F

Avg. annual high / low

Ashgabat Rain: 8.9 in/yr (227 mm)
74° / 51°F

Avg. annual high / low

Months Ankara Ashgabat
Jan–Mar 45°/28°F (7°/-2°C) 51°/34°F (11°/1°C)
Apr–Jun 72°/48°F (22°/9°C) 86°/61°F (30°/16°C)
Jul–Sep 83°/57°F (29°/14°C) 96°/68°F (35°/20°C)
Oct–Dec 55°/37°F (13°/3°C) 62°/40°F (17°/5°C)
View all months
Month Ankara Ashgabat
Jan 39°/26°F (4.1°/-3.5°C) 45°/29°F (7.4°/-1.6°C)
Feb 43°/27°F (5.9°/-2.8°C) 49°/32°F (9.6°/-0.2°C)
Mar 52°/32°F (11.1°/0.2°C) 60°/41°F (15.6°/4.9°C)
Apr 63°/41°F (17.3°/5.1°C) 75°/52°F (24.1°/11.1°C)
May 72°/49°F (22.2°/9.4°C) 86°/61°F (30.0°/16.2°C)
Jun 80°/55°F (26.4°/12.6°C) 96°/69°F (35.7°/20.7°C)
Jul 86°/60°F (29.9°/15.4°C) 101°/74°F (38.2°/23.1°C)
Aug 86°/60°F (30.0°/15.4°C) 98°/69°F (36.6°/20.5°C)
Sep 78°/52°F (25.8°/11.3°C) 89°/60°F (31.5°/15.4°C)
Oct 68°/44°F (20.0°/6.8°C) 74°/48°F (23.2°/9.1°C)
Nov 55°/36°F (12.9°/2.4°C) 62°/40°F (16.6°/4.6°C)
Dec 43°/30°F (6.3°/-0.9°C) 50°/33°F (9.8°/0.7°C)

Data: Turkish State Meteorological Service Turkish State Meteorological Service

Visitor Visa Requirements

Short-stay tourist visa rules between Turkey and Turkmenistan. To live, work, or study long-term in Turkmenistan, you'll need a separate residence or work visa — check Turkmenistan's immigration authority.

Turkey passport

Turkey passport holder visiting Turkmenistan

Visa Required
Turkey passport holders need a visa to enter Turkmenistan.
Turkmenistan passport

Turkmenistan passport holder visiting Turkey

Visa Required
Turkmenistan passport holders need a visa to enter Turkey.

Data: Henley Passport Index. Check with the destination country's embassy for the most current requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I work remotely from Turkmenistan?

Connectivity is usually fine (Turkmenistan: 5.9 fixed broadband per 100). What actually decides it is legal: does Turkmenistan offer a digital nomad visa, will your employer permit overseas work, and where are you tax-resident?

Is Turkmenistan safe for expats?

Turkey generally does better on safety, though Turkmenistan leads in homicide rate. The homicide rate in Turkmenistan is 1.1 per 100,000 people, compared to 2.7 in Turkey.

How is healthcare in Turkmenistan compared to Turkey?

Turkey generally does better on health & wellbeing, though Turkmenistan leads in healthcare spending per person. There are 21.4 doctors per 10,000 people in Turkmenistan, compared to 21.7 in Turkey. Turkmenistan scores 75 on the WHO universal health coverage index (Turkey: 76).

What's the weather like in Turkmenistan compared to Turkey?

The average high temperature in Ashgabat is 74°F, compared to 64°F in Ankara. Ashgabat receives around 8.9 in of rainfall per year, while Ankara gets 15.0 in.

What language do they speak in Turkmenistan?

The official languages in Turkmenistan are Russian and Turkmen. In Turkey, the official language is Turkish.

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At a Glance

TR TM
Population 83,047,706 5,636,011
Currency Turkish Lira (TRY) Turkmenistani Manat (TMT)
Languages Turkish Russian, Turkmen
Driving side Right Right
Calling code +90 +993
Time zones 1 1
Emergency number 112