United States US: Military Expenditure: % of GDP data was reported at 3.149 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3.222 % for 2016. United States US: Military Expenditure: % of GDP data is updated yearly, averaging 4.864 % from Sep 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 9.063 % in 1967 and a record low of 2.908 % in 1999. United States US: Military Expenditure: % of GDP data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Defense and Official Development Assistance. Military expenditures data from SIPRI are derived from the NATO definition, which includes all current and capital expenditures on the armed forces, including peacekeeping forces; defense ministries and other government agencies engaged in defense projects; paramilitary forces, if these are judged to be trained and equipped for military operations; and military space activities. Such expenditures include military and civil personnel, including retirement pensions of military personnel and social services for personnel; operation and maintenance; procurement; military research and development; and military aid (in the military expenditures of the donor country). Excluded are civil defense and current expenditures for previous military activities, such as for veterans' benefits, demobilization, conversion, and destruction of weapons. This definition cannot be applied for all countries, however, since that would require much more detailed information than is available about what is included in military budgets and off-budget military expenditure items. (For example, military budgets might or might not cover civil defense, reserves and auxiliary forces, police and paramilitary forces, dual-purpose forces such as military and civilian police, military grants in kind, pensions for military personnel, and social security contributions paid by one part of government to another.); ; Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Yearbook: Armaments, Disarmament and International Security.; Weighted average; Data for some countries are based on partial or uncertain data or rough estimates.

Content

Lists the military spending, GDP, and population estimate for the US each year from 1960 to 2020.

Acknowledgements

Banner image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/BQgAYwERXhs

Analysis of ‘US Military Spending by Year (1960 - 2020)’ provided by Analyst-2 (analyst-2.ai), based on source dataset retrieved from https://www.kaggle.com/brandonconrady/us-military-spending-by-year-1960-2020 on 28 January 2022.

--- Dataset description provided by original source is as follows ---

Content

Lists the military spending, GDP, and population estimate for the US each year from 1960 to 2020.

Acknowledgements

Banner image source: https://unsplash.com/photos/BQgAYwERXhs

--- Original source retains full ownership of the source dataset ---

In 2023, the military spending worldwide amounted to 2.44 trillion U.S. dollars, which was the highest during the period under consideration. Comparatively, global military spending was at 1.1 trillion U.S. dollars in 2001, and at 1.7 trillion U.S. dollars in 2010, past the peak of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The Russia-Ukraine War The Russia-Ukraine War has been a major driver of more recent military spending increases. From 2021 to 2022, the ratio of Ukraine’s military spending to their GDP increased substantially from 3.8 percent to 33.5 percent. By comparison, this ratio increased in Russia from 3.6 percent in 2021 to only 4 percent in 2022. As a result, large amounts of bilateral aid have gone towards Ukraine. While EU institutions have contributed the most in total, the United States has contributed the most military aid towards Ukraine. Spending by nation Globally, the United States had the largest amount of military spending by large in 2023. The United States spent nearly 916 billion U.S. dollars in 2023 towards defense, compared to 296 billion U.S. dollars and 109 billion U.S. dollars spent by China and Russia respectively. As a percentage of GDP, Ukraine spent the most globally, contributing nearly 37 percent of their GDP to defense, followed by Algeria at 8.2 percent and Saudi Arabia at 7.1 percent.

Military Expenditure in Cambodia increased to 720.50 USD Million in 2024 from 668 USD Million in 2023. Cambodia Military Expenditure - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

The dataset comprises the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) allies’ armed force personnel as a share of total labor force (%), total labor force, military expenditure as a share of GDP (%), and GDP (current US dollar) during 1991–2019.

The sample countries are Belgium, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Türkiye, the United Kingdom, and the United States (1991–2019); the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland (1999–2019); Bulgaria, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Romania, Slovakia, and Slovenia (2004–2019), Albania and Croatia (2009–2019), and Montenegro (2017–2019).

The original data sources are:

NATO allies’ military expenditure as a share of GDP (%): Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 2022. SIPRI Extended Military Expenditure Database. https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex

NATO allies’ armed force personnel as a share of total labor force (%), total labor force, and GDP (current US dollar): World Bank. 2022. World Development Indicators. https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators

United States US: GDP: USD: Final Consumption Expenditure: General Government data was reported at 2,658.088 USD bn in 2016. This records an increase from the previous number of 2,610.800 USD bn for 2015. United States US: GDP: USD: Final Consumption Expenditure: General Government data is updated yearly, averaging 819.773 USD bn from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2,658.088 USD bn in 2016 and a record low of 85.000 USD bn in 1960. United States US: GDP: USD: Final Consumption Expenditure: General Government data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.World Bank: Gross Domestic Product: Nominal. General government final consumption expenditure (formerly general government consumption) includes all government current expenditures for purchases of goods and services (including compensation of employees). It also includes most expenditures on national defense and security, but excludes government military expenditures that are part of government capital formation. Data are in current U.S. dollars.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Gap-filled total;

The dataset comprises the Quad (Australia, India, Japan, and the United States) member countries’ military expenditure (ME) and related economic indicators, 1991-2020. lnME is logarithms of the Quad member countries’ ME. lnSpillover1 is the product of the Quad member countries’ ME divided by its own ME. lnSpillover2 is logarithms of the sum of the Quad member countries’ ME minus its own ME. lnGDP is the Quad member countries’ GDP. And lnChineseME is logarithms of Chinese ME. lnME_fd is the first difference value of lnME. lnSpillover1_fd is the first difference value of lnSpillover1. lnSpillover2_fd is the first difference value of lnSpillover2. lnGDP_fd is the first difference value of ln lnGDP. And lnChineseME_fd is the first difference value of lnChineseME. IV_1_1 is the 2 periods lagged lnSpillover1_fd. IV_1_2 is logarithms of the first difference value of the product of the Quad member countries’ GDP divided by its own GDP. IV_2_1 is the 2 periods lagged lnSpillover2_fd. IV_2_2 is logarithms of the first difference value of the sum of the Quad member countries’ GDP minus its own GDP. Data on the Quad member countries’ ME (in current US dollars) from 1991–2020 were obtained from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2022), and data on their GDP (in current US dollars) during the same period were obtained from World Bank (2022). Further, Chinese ME (in current US dollars) from 1991–2020 were obtained from Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (2022). The data were converted to constant US dollars using the US GDP deflator taken from World Bank (2022). Data source Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. 2022. “SIPRI Military Expenditure Database.” https://www.sipri.org/databases/milex. World Bank. 2022. “World Development Indicators.” https://databank.worldbank.org/source/world-development-indicators.

United States GDP: 2017p: YoY%: GCI: Fed: National Defense data was reported at 3.900 % in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.400 % for Dec 2024. United States GDP: 2017p: YoY%: GCI: Fed: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 2.200 % from Mar 2003 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 89 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 10.000 % in Jun 2003 and a record low of -7.900 % in Sep 2013. United States GDP: 2017p: YoY%: GCI: Fed: National Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.A009: NIPA 2023: GDP by Expenditure: Chain Linked 2017 Price: YoY.

United States GDP: 1996p: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense data was reported at 448.300 USD bn in Sep 2003. This records a decrease from the previous number of 450.200 USD bn for Jun 2003. United States GDP: 1996p: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 391.000 USD bn from Mar 1987 (Median) to Sep 2003, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 456.400 USD bn in Sep 1987 and a record low of 332.000 USD bn in Mar 1998. United States GDP: 1996p: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A194: NIPA 1999: GDP by Expenditure.

United States GDP: PI: sa: GCI: Fed: National Defense (ND) data was reported at 121.022 2005=100 in Mar 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 120.115 2005=100 for Dec 2012. United States GDP: PI: sa: GCI: Fed: National Defense (ND) data is updated quarterly, averaging 42.470 2005=100 from Mar 1947 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 265 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 121.022 2005=100 in Mar 2013 and a record low of 9.604 2005=100 in Sep 1947. United States GDP: PI: sa: GCI: Fed: National Defense (ND) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.A236: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Price Index: sa.

United States GDP: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense: Consumption Expenditure data was reported at 652.400 USD bn in Mar 2009. This records a decrease from the previous number of 656.600 USD bn for Dec 2008. United States GDP: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense: Consumption Expenditure data is updated quarterly, averaging 109.400 USD bn from Mar 1947 (Median) to Mar 2009, with 249 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 659.600 USD bn in Sep 2008 and a record low of 16.000 USD bn in Jun 1950. United States GDP: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense: Consumption Expenditure data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A175: NIPA 2003: GDP by Expenditure.

United States GDP: GCI: Fed: National Defense data was reported at 273.199 USD bn in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 275.254 USD bn for Dec 2024. United States GDP: GCI: Fed: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 85.773 USD bn from Mar 1947 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 313 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 277.160 USD bn in Sep 2024 and a record low of 4.996 USD bn in Sep 1947. United States GDP: GCI: Fed: National Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.A001: NIPA 2023: GDP by Expenditure: Current Price.

United States GDP: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense data was reported at 748.900 USD bn in Mar 2009. This records a decrease from the previous number of 757.000 USD bn for Dec 2008. United States GDP: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 121.700 USD bn from Mar 1946 (Median) to Mar 2009, with 253 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 759.500 USD bn in Sep 2008 and a record low of 17.500 USD bn in Sep 1947. United States GDP: sa: GCI: Federal: National Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A175: NIPA 2003: GDP by Expenditure.

United States GDP: 2009p: saar: GCI: Federal: National Defense (ND) data was reported at 682.220 USD bn in Mar 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 679.212 USD bn for Dec 2017. United States GDP: 2009p: saar: GCI: Federal: National Defense (ND) data is updated quarterly, averaging 673.479 USD bn from Mar 1999 (Median) to Mar 2018, with 77 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 825.896 USD bn in Sep 2010 and a record low of 500.943 USD bn in Mar 2000. United States GDP: 2009p: saar: GCI: Federal: National Defense (ND) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A004: NIPA 2013: GDP by Expenditure: saar: 2009 Price: Chain Linked.

United States GDP: 1996p: sa: GCI: Federal: Non Defense data was reported at 220.900 USD bn in Sep 2003. This records an increase from the previous number of 219.700 USD bn for Jun 2003. United States GDP: 1996p: sa: GCI: Federal: Non Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 177.200 USD bn from Mar 1987 (Median) to Sep 2003, with 67 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 222.800 USD bn in Mar 2003 and a record low of 136.300 USD bn in Sep 1988. United States GDP: 1996p: sa: GCI: Federal: Non Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A194: NIPA 1999: GDP by Expenditure.

United States GDP: saar: GCI: Fed: National Defense (ND) data was reported at 1,100.235 USD bn in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,110.551 USD bn for Dec 2024. United States GDP: saar: GCI: Fed: National Defense (ND) data is updated quarterly, averaging 342.744 USD bn from Mar 1947 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 313 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,110.551 USD bn in Dec 2024 and a record low of 19.985 USD bn in Sep 1947. United States GDP: saar: GCI: Fed: National Defense (ND) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.A002: NIPA 2023: GDP by Expenditure: Current Price: saar.

United States GDP: 2017p: saar: YoY%: GCI: Fed: National Defense data was reported at 4.000 % in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.500 % for Dec 2024. United States GDP: 2017p: saar: YoY%: GCI: Fed: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 0.500 % from Mar 1948 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 309 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 108.500 % in Sep 1951 and a record low of -16.700 % in Dec 1954. United States GDP: 2017p: saar: YoY%: GCI: Fed: National Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.A028: NIPA 2023: GDP by Expenditure: Chain Linked 2017 Price: saar: YoY.

United States GDP: 2017p: GCI: Fed: National Defense data was reported at 212.446 USD bn in Mar 2025. This records a decrease from the previous number of 217.931 USD bn for Dec 2024. United States GDP: 2017p: GCI: Fed: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 202.540 USD bn from Mar 2007 (Median) to Mar 2025, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 227.735 USD bn in Sep 2010 and a record low of 182.868 USD bn in Mar 2017. United States GDP: 2017p: GCI: Fed: National Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s United States – Table US.A008: NIPA 2023: GDP by Expenditure: Chain Linked 2017 Price.

United States GDP: Average: GCE: Federal: National Defense data was reported at 734.900 USD bn in 2008. This records an increase from the previous number of 662.200 USD bn for 2007. United States GDP: Average: GCE: Federal: National Defense data is updated yearly, averaging 87.300 USD bn from Dec 1929 (Median) to 2008, with 80 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 734.900 USD bn in 2008 and a record low of 0.800 USD bn in 1934. United States GDP: Average: GCE: Federal: National Defense data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Bureau of Economic Analysis. The data is categorized under Global Database’s USA – Table US.A176: NIPA 2003: GDP by Expenditure: Annual Average.