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.

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.

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

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

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.

United States US: GDP: % of GDP: Final Consumption Expenditure: General Government data was reported at 14.272 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.408 % for 2015. United States US: GDP: % of GDP: Final Consumption Expenditure: General Government data is updated yearly, averaging 15.841 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2016, with 57 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 18.069 % in 1970 and a record low of 13.996 % in 1998. United States US: GDP: % of GDP: 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 United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Gross Domestic Product: Share of GDP. 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.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Weighted average;

United States US: GDP: Growth: Final Consumption Expenditure: General Government data was reported at 0.968 % in 2016. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1.332 % for 2015. United States US: GDP: Growth: Final Consumption Expenditure: General Government data is updated yearly, averaging 1.566 % from Dec 1971 (Median) to 2016, with 46 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.928 % in 1985 and a record low of -2.654 % in 2011. United States US: GDP: Growth: 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 United States – Table US.World Bank.WDI: Gross Domestic Product: Annual Growth Rate. Annual percentage growth of general government final consumption expenditure based on constant local currency. Aggregates are based on constant 2010 U.S. dollars. General government final consumption expenditure (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.; ; World Bank national accounts data, and OECD National Accounts data files.; Weighted average;

GDP: saar: GCI: Federal: National Defense data was reported at 768.800 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 787.900 USD bn for Dec 2012. GDP: saar: GCI: Federal: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 160.500 USD bn from Mar 1947 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 265 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 837.800 USD bn in Sep 2011 and a record low of 17.500 USD bn in Sep 1947. GDP: saar: 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 United States – Table US.A228: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Current Price: saar.

GDP: saar: GCI: Consumption Expenditures: Federal: National Defense data was reported at 672.000 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 681.800 USD bn for Dec 2012. GDP: saar: GCI: Consumption Expenditures: Federal: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 136.000 USD bn from Mar 1947 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 265 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 730.500 USD bn in Sep 2011 and a record low of 16.000 USD bn in Jun 1950. GDP: saar: GCI: Consumption Expenditures: 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 United States – Table US.A228: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Current Price: saar.

United States GDP: 2005p: saar: QoQ: GCI: Federal: National Defense data was reported at -12.000 % in Mar 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of -22.100 % for Dec 2012. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: QoQ: GCI: Federal: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 1.200 % from Jun 1947 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 264 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 158.100 % in Mar 1951 and a record low of -25.400 % in Sep 1972. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: QoQ: 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.A227: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Chain Linked 2005 Price: saar: QoQ.

United States GDP: saar: Prices QoQ: GCI: Federal: National Defense data was reported at 3.100 % in Mar 2013. This records an increase from the previous number of 1.900 % for Dec 2012. United States GDP: saar: Prices QoQ: GCI: Federal: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 3.300 % from Jun 1947 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 264 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 27.500 % in Mar 1972 and a record low of -29.000 % in Sep 1947. United States GDP: saar: Prices QoQ: 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 United States – Table US.A229: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Current Price: saar: QoQ%.

United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Federal: National Defense data was reported at 635.300 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 656.000 USD bn for Dec 2012. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Federal: National Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 573.500 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 729.900 USD bn in Sep 2010 and a record low of 433.200 USD bn in Mar 1998. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: 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 United States – Table US.A231: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Chain Linked 2005 Price: saar.

GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Investment: Federal: Non Defense data was reported at 45.400 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 46.900 USD bn for Dec 2012. GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Investment: Federal: Non Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 34.500 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 51.800 USD bn in Mar 2011 and a record low of 26.600 USD bn in Jun 1995. GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Investment: 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.A109: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Seasonally Adjusted at Annual Rates: 2005 Price: Chain Linked.

United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Investment: Federal: Natl Defense data was reported at 89.000 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 97.700 USD bn for Dec 2012. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Investment: Federal: Natl Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 68.100 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 111.500 USD bn in Sep 2010 and a record low of 44.300 USD bn in Mar 1997. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Investment: Federal: Natl 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.A109: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Seasonally Adjusted at Annual Rates: 2005 Price: Chain Linked.

United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Federal: Non Defense data was reported at 347.400 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 349.300 USD bn for Dec 2012. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Federal: Non Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 283.100 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 363.700 USD bn in Jun 2010 and a record low of 218.900 USD bn in Dec 1995. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: 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.A109: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Seasonally Adjusted at Annual Rates: 2005 Price: Chain Linked.

Military Expenditure in Ghana decreased to 268.70 USD Million in 2024 from 285.40 USD Million in 2023. Ghana Military Expenditure - values, historical data, forecasts and news - updated on July of 2025.

United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Invt: Structures: Federal: Natl Defense data was reported at 6.100 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.000 USD bn for Dec 2012. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Invt: Structures: Federal: Natl Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 8.100 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14.900 USD bn in Sep 2009 and a record low of 5.800 USD bn in Sep 2012. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Invt: Structures: Federal: Natl 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.A109: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Seasonally Adjusted at Annual Rates: 2005 Price: Chain Linked.

United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Invt: Eqp&Software: Fed: Non Defense data was reported at 36.700 USD bn in Mar 2013. This records a decrease from the previous number of 37.100 USD bn for Dec 2012. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Invt: Eqp&Software: Fed: Non Defense data is updated quarterly, averaging 24.000 USD bn from Mar 1995 (Median) to Mar 2013, with 73 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 37.100 USD bn in Dec 2012 and a record low of 13.400 USD bn in Jun 1995. United States GDP: 2005p: saar: GCI: Gross Invt: Eqp&Software: Fed: 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.A109: NIPA 2009: GDP by Expenditure: Seasonally Adjusted at Annual Rates: 2005 Price: Chain Linked.