This dataset provides values for MILITARY EXPENDITURE PERCENT OF GDP WB DATA.HTML reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

As a share of gross domestic product (GDP), Ukraine spent more on its military than any other country in 2023, reaching 37 percent of the country's GDP. The high figure is due to the country being invaded by Russia in February 2022. Algeria and Saudi Arabia followed behind.Leading military spending countriesIn gross terms, the countries with the highest military spending are the United States, China, and Russia. However, these are countries with large populations and GDPs, and smaller countries usually cannot compete alone, regardless of how much they invest. For this reason, they form alliances such as the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). NATO countries aim to pool two percent of their GDP towards their own militaries and to aid each other in case of war. Regional differencesThe past decade has seen an increase in global military spending. This has not been distributed evenly. That period saw large positive changes in military spending from several Asian countries, including a large increase from China. While this does not reflect the number of active conflicts, it reflects growing tensions in global affairs.

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.

Historical chart and dataset showing Ukraine military spending/defense budget by year from 1992 to 2023.

Military Expenditure in Russia increased to 148967.30 USD Million in 2024 from 109203.60 USD Million in 2023. Russia Military Expenditure - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

This dataset provides values for MILITARY EXPENDITURE PERCENT OF GDP WB DATA.HTML reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Historical chart and dataset showing Russia military spending/defense budget by year from 1987 to 2023.

Historical chart and dataset showing Japan military spending/defense budget by year from 1960 to 2023.

This dataset provides values for MILITARY EXPENDITURE PERCENT OF GDP WB DATA.HTML reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Historical chart and dataset showing Norway military spending/defense budget by year from 1960 to 2023.

Historical chart and dataset showing Denmark military spending/defense budget by year from 1960 to 2023.

Historical chart and dataset showing Turkey military spending/defense budget by year from 1960 to 2023.

This dataset provides values for MILITARY EXPENDITURE PERCENT OF GDP WB DATA.HTML reported in several countries. The data includes current values, previous releases, historical highs and record lows, release frequency, reported unit and currency.

Historical chart and dataset showing Indonesia military spending/defense budget by year from 1974 to 2023.

Historical chart and dataset showing Switzerland military spending/defense budget by year from 1960 to 2023.

Historical chart and dataset showing Bangladesh military spending/defense budget by year from 1973 to 2023.

Historical chart and dataset showing Singapore military spending/defense budget by year from 1970 to 2023.

Historical chart and dataset showing South Africa military spending/defense budget by year from 1960 to 2023.

Military Expenditure in the United Kingdom increased to 81763.20 USD Million in 2024 from 75303.40 USD Million in 2023. United Kingdom Military Expenditure - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

Military Expenditure in Nigeria decreased to 1133.30 USD Million in 2024 from 3101.30 USD Million in 2023. Nigeria Military Expenditure - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.