Global defence budget at record high

Military expenditure has jumped to a record high of $2,443 billion after the largest annual rise in government spending on arms in over 10 years

SHARE OF WORLD MILITARY EXPENDITURE, 2023 ($billions)
 
Israel 1.1% $27.5
Poland 1.3% $31.6
Australia 1.3% $32.3
Italy 1.5% $35.5
South Korea 2.0% $47.9
Japan 2.1% $50.2
France 2.5% $61.3
Ukraine 2.7% $64.8
Germany 2.7% $66.8
UK 3.1% $74.9
Saudi Arabia 3.1% $75.8
China 12% $296.0
India 3.4% $83.6
Russia 4.5% $109.0
Others 19% $469
U.S. 37% $916.0
Total $2,443bn

Total military expenditure accounts for 2.3% of global GDP
    
WORLD MILITARY EXPENDITURE BY REGION*
1988-2023 ($ billions)

2,500 2,000 1,500 1,000 500 0

Africa  $52
Middle East $200
Europe $588
Asia & Oceania $595
Americas $1,009


1988 92 96 2000 04 08 12 16 20 2023

  
2023: Spending grows 6.8% to $2,443bn – steepest annual rise since 2009

*No total calculated for 1991 due to absence of data for Soviet Union


Source: SIPRI Picture: Getty Images © GRAPHIC NEWS