Türkiye and the World Bank are marking 75 years of working together this July. Their partnership began on July 7, 1950, when the World Bank approved its first loan to Türkiye—a $3.9 million project to build modern grain storage. The goal was to cut food waste, improve quality, and keep prices steady for families, according to a World Bank announcement.
At that time, Türkiye’s income per person was just $166. Early World Bank support came as low-interest loans, helping the country build a foundation for growth. By 1973, Türkiye no longer needed this type of support, and about 15 years later, it started helping other countries as a donor.
Now, Türkiye’s income per person has climbed to $15,463. The World Bank has stood by Türkiye through hard times, including the earthquakes in 1999 and 2023, the global financial crisis, and the COVID-19 pandemic. Today, the Bank is running more than $16 billion in projects in Türkiye, focusing on jobs, better services, and disaster readiness.
Over the decades, this partnership has changed and grown, always adjusting to what Türkiye needed most. As the country aims for high-income status, both Türkiye and the World Bank say they’re ready to keep working together and support the next chapter in Türkiye’s story.
